Water outlet device

Abstract

The water discharge device includes a foamer (5). The foamer (5) includes an inlet; a stirring portion (46) that stirs a fluid to generate foam, the fluid being a mixture of air flowing in from the inlet and a liquid having upper water and a foaming component; and an outlet (44) that allows the foam to flow out. The foamer (5) is configured such that the stirring portion (46) is filled with upper water after the foam flows out.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The invention relates to a water outlet device capable of releasing foam. Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, a foaming device is known that generates foam by stirring a gas-liquid mixed fluid, which is a mixture of compressed air and water, with a stirring unit to produce foam. Such a foaming device includes porous bodies arranged in multiple stages along the flow path of the gas-liquid mixed fluid (see, for example, Patent Documents 1 and 2).

[0003] Prior art literature

[0004] Patent Literature

[0005] Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2015-47236

[0006] Patent Document 2: Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2013-17948 Summary of the Invention

[0007] Technical problem to be solved by the invention

[0008] In the foamer described above, especially when using hard water, there is a problem of scale formation inside the foamer. If scale is formed inside the foamer, there are problems such as clogging of the porous body, and reduction in the homogeneity and flow rate of the generated foam.

[0009] The present disclosure has been made in view of such a problem, and an object of the present disclosure is to provide a water discharge device capable of suppressing the generation of scale in a foamer.

[0010] Technical solutions to technical problems

[0011] To solve the above-mentioned technical problems, a water dispensing device according to one embodiment of the present invention includes a foamer. The foamer comprises an inlet; a stirring portion that stirs a fluid to generate foam, the fluid being a mixture of air flowing in through the inlet and a liquid containing feed water and a foaming component; and an outlet that allows the foam to flow out. The foamer is configured such that the stirring portion is filled with feed water after the foam flows out. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0012] Figure 1 It is an external perspective view of the water discharge device according to the embodiment.

[0013] Figure 2 This is a perspective view showing a portion of the interior of the water outlet device.

[0014] Figure 3 This is a block diagram showing a configuration example of a water system and an electric circuit system of a water discharge device.

[0015] Figure 4 This is a three-dimensional diagram of the appearance of the foamer.

[0016] Figure 5 It is a cross-sectional perspective view of the foamer.

[0017] Figure 6 It is a diagram showing the structure of a pipe connected to a foamer. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0018] Hereinafter, the present invention will be described based on preferred embodiments with reference to the accompanying drawings. The following structures are provided for the purpose of illustrating the present disclosure, and the scope of the present disclosure is determined solely by the appended claims. The same or equivalent components and parts shown in the various drawings are marked with the same reference numerals, and repeated descriptions are omitted as appropriate. In addition, for ease of understanding, the sizes of the components in the various drawings are appropriately enlarged or reduced for representation. In addition, in the various drawings, a portion of the components that are not important for describing the embodiments is omitted.

[0019] The water spout device 1 of this embodiment releases foam generated by mixing compressed air with mixed water obtained by mixing liquid containing a foaming component with water. The water spout device 1 is mainly used in a bathroom.

[0020] Reference Figure 1 The water outlet device 1 houses pipes and various components within a rectangular parallelepiped housing 10. In the water outlet device 1, a hose 81 extending from a water supply device 80 is connected to the water supply port 11, and water is supplied from the water supply device 80. The water supply device 80 has functions such as temperature regulation, flow regulation, and switching between water flow and water shutoff.

[0021] The water outlet device 1 has a hose 82 connected to a nozzle 83 at the water outlet 12. The water outlet device 1 discharges either water or foam from the water outlet 12, and discharges either water or foam from the nozzle 83 to the outside through the hose 82. The water outlet device 1 may be connected to a device other than the nozzle 83. The water outlet device 1 may also discharge either water or foam directly to the outside. The water outlet device 1 may also include a discharge component such as the nozzle 83. The water outlet device 1 may also perform all or some of the functions of the water supply device 80.

[0022] The water outlet device 1 is detachably connected to a liquid supply container 2 for supplying liquid containing foaming ingredients. Figure 1As shown, a portion of the liquid replenishment container 2 protrudes from the upper surface of the housing 10 covering the outside of the water dispensing device 1. By adopting a structure in which a portion of the liquid replenishment container 2 protrudes from the housing 10, the device can be made more compact compared to a case in which a liquid tank is built into the housing 10. Furthermore, by adopting a structure in which a portion of the liquid replenishment container 2 protrudes, the remaining amount of liquid in the liquid replenishment container 2 can be easily checked.

[0023] The liquid replenishing container 2 can be easily attached and detached by gripping the upper portion of the liquid replenishing container 2. By being able to easily replace the liquid replenishing container 2, the user can enjoy the pleasure of changing the type of liquid according to their mood that day.

[0024] The front surface of the housing 10 is provided with user-operable operation buttons 13 and a user-visible display 14. Display 14 is composed of components such as LEDs and a liquid crystal display. The dimensions of the housing 10 are, for example, 15 cm in height, 20 cm in width, and approximately 5 cm in depth. The dimensions of the housing 10 are not limited to these. Display 14 may also display the remaining amount of liquid in the liquid replenishment container 2. The remaining amount of liquid can be detected using a weight sensor or a water level sensor.

[0025] Reference Figure 2 、 Figure 3 The water dispensing device 1 includes a switch 3, a liquid aspirator 4, a foamer 5, a compressor 6, a container mounting portion 7, a control circuit unit 8, and a power supply 9. The container mounting portion 7 is configured to accommodate the liquid supply container 2. A check valve 90 is connected downstream of the water supply port 11. The check valve 90 is connected to the switch 3 via a flow path 110. The check valve 90 prevents water from flowing back from the flow path 110 toward the water supply port 11.

[0026] Switcher 3 switches water flow between two channels, 111 and 112, branching from channel 110. Channel 111 is connected to the bubbler 5. A check valve 91 provided in channel 111 prevents backflow from the bubbler 5 to the switcher 3. The bubbler allows water from channel 111 to flow toward channel 115. Channel 115 is connected to the water outlet 12.

[0027] A flow limiter 93 and a check valve 94 are provided in the other flow path 112. The flow path 112 is connected to the liquid aspirator 4. The flow limiter 93 is composed of a constant flow valve, a pressure reducing valve, or the like. The flow limiter 93 regulates the flow rate on the downstream side to approximately 1 liter per minute, for example. The check valve 94 prevents backflow from the liquid aspirator 4 to the switching device 3.

[0028] The liquid aspirator 4 is, for example, an ejector. It aspirates the liquid supplied from the liquid replenishment container 2, mixes it with water flowing in from the flow path 112, and flows it downstream to the flow path 113. The liquid replenishment container 2 and the liquid aspirator 4 are connected by a flow path 114. A check valve 95 is provided in the flow path 114 to prevent backflow from the liquid aspirator 4 to the liquid replenishment container 2.

[0029] In addition to the aforementioned flow path 111, flow path 113 is also connected to the foamer 5. Flow path 113 is connected to the foamer 5. Flow path 113 supplies mixed water, which is a mixture of a liquid containing a foaming ingredient and water, to the foamer 5. The foamer 5 generates foam by mixing compressed air from the compressor 6 with the mixed water supplied from flow path 113, and then flows the mixed water to flow path 115. The compressor 6 supplies compressed air to the foamer 5 through air flow path 116. A check valve 96 is provided in flow path 116 to prevent backflow from the foamer 5 side to the compressor 6 side. The water discharge device 1 forms fine bubbles through the foamer 5, releasing fine-textured foam.

[0030] The control circuit unit 8 receives power from a power supply 9 to operate the switch 3, compressor 6, and other components. The power supply 9 is, for example, a lithium-ion battery or other type of battery. Alternatively, the power supply 9 may comprise a power supply circuit for utilizing power supplied from a household power source. The control circuit unit 8 receives input from a connected operation button 13 to operate the switch 3, compressor 6, and other components. Furthermore, the control circuit unit 8 displays information such as the operating status of the water dispenser 1 and the remaining power level of the power supply 9 on a display 14.

[0031] The water dispensing device 1 can be switched between a mode for discharging water from the water outlet 12 (water dispensing mode) and a mode for discharging foam from the water outlet 12 by operating the operating button 13. In the water dispensing mode, water supplied from the water supply port 11 flows through the switch 3 to the flow paths 111 and 115, and is discharged from the water outlet 12 without generating foam. On the other hand, in the foam dispensing mode (foam dispensing mode), water supplied from the water supply port 11 flows through the switch 3 to the flow paths 112, 113, and 115, generates foam, and is discharged from the water outlet 12.

[0032] Reference Figure 4 The foamer 5 will be described. The foamer 5 generates foam by stirring the fluid flowing in from the inlet with the stirring portion, and causes the foam to flow out from the outflow port.

[0033] The foamer 5 includes a foamer body 40, a mixed liquid inlet 41, an air inlet 42, a feed water inlet 43, and an outlet 44. The foamer body 40 has a generally cylindrical shape. The mixed liquid inlet 41, the air inlet 42, and the feed water inlet 43 are located at the bottom of the foamer body 40. The outlet 44 is located at the top end of the foamer body 40.

[0034] Flow path 113 is connected to the mixed liquid inlet 41, through which mixed water containing a foaming component and water flows from the liquid aspirator 4. Flow path 116 is connected to the air inlet 42, through which compressed air flows from the compressor 6. Flow path 111 is connected to the feed water inlet 43, through which feed water from the water supply port 11 flows. Flow path 115 is connected to the outlet 44. The tap water or foam flowing out of the outlet 44 is sent to the water outlet 12 via flow path 115 and discharged from the outlet 12.

[0035] Reference Figure 5 The internal structure of the foamer 5 will be described. The foamer main body 40 has a hollow, generally cylindrical shape, with an opening at one end (the lower end). The lower end of the foamer main body 40 is sealed liquid-tightly by a lid 49. The shape of the foamer main body 40 is not particularly limited; it may also be a hollow, generally rectangular cylindrical shape. Within the interior of the foamer main body 40 are provided a mixing section 45 and a stirring section 46 located downstream of (and vertically above) the mixing section 45.

[0036] The mixing section 45 is a space into which fluids flow from the mixed liquid inlet 41, the air inlet 42, and the upper water inlet 43. In the foam release mode, the mixed water from the mixed liquid inlet 41 and the compressed air from the air inlet 42 mix in the mixing section 45 to form a gas-liquid mixed fluid, which then flows to the stirring section 46. In the water release mode, the upper water from the upper water inlet 43 passes directly (without generating foam) through the mixing section 45 and the stirring section 46 and flows out of the outlet 44.

[0037] The stirring section 46 is located above (vertically above) the mixing section 45. The stirring section 46 includes a plurality of porous bodies arranged along the flow direction of the fluid. More specifically, the stirring section 46 includes a pre-stirring zone A into which the fluid flows through the mixing section 45 and a stirring zone B located downstream of the pre-stirring zone A. The pre-stirring zone A is provided with a plurality of pre-stirring porous bodies 47 having a relatively large porosity, and the stirring zone B located downstream of the pre-stirring zone A is provided with a plurality of stirring porous bodies 48 having a relatively small porosity.

[0038] The "porous body" used in the present invention includes porous members such as ceramic materials and sintered metal materials, woven or non-woven fabrics of metal fibers or resin fibers, and mesh bodies (such as metal mesh) composed of metal wires or resin wires.

[0039] In the stirring section 46 constructed in this manner, the gas-liquid mixed fluid that flows in from the mixing section 45 and is in a roughly stirred state is stirred by the turbulent flow (rotating flow formed by countless non-uniform vortices) generated when passing through the pre-stirring porous body 47 with a relatively large porosity set in the pre-stirring section A, thereby promoting homogenization and miniaturization. Moreover, the gas-liquid mixed fluid that has been promoted to be homogenized and miniaturized by the pre-stirring section A is further stirred by the turbulent flow generated when passing through the stirring porous body 48 with a relatively small porosity set in the stirring section B, and becomes a fine and homogeneous foam fluid (foaming fluid) corresponding to the porosity of the stirring porous body 48 set in the stirring section B. By stirring the gas-liquid mixed fluid in the pre-stirring section A provided with the pre-stirring porous body 47 with a relatively large porosity and the stirring section B provided with the stirring porous body 48 with a relatively small porosity in sequence, it is possible to suppress the pressure loss caused by the amplification of useless turbulence and prevent the reduction of the limit flow rate. In this way, a fine and homogeneous foam fluid can be efficiently generated. The details of the stirring section using such a multi-stage porous body are disclosed in Patent Document 2 mentioned above.

[0040] In the water discharge device 1 of this embodiment, since a porous body is used in the foamer 5, scale may form, potentially causing adverse effects. Scale is a chalky deposit. Its main component is lime (calcium carbonate) that precipitates from water. Hard water, in particular, contains calcium and magnesium bicarbonates and other salts, making it prone to scale formation. If scale forms in the foamer 5, the porous body may become clogged, potentially reducing the homogeneity and flow rate of the generated foam.

[0041] Therefore, in the water outlet device 1 of the present embodiment, the foamer 5 is configured so that the outflow port 44 is located above (vertically above) the stirring portion 46. By configuring the foamer 5 in this manner, even if the water in the pipeline downstream of the foamer 5 is discharged after the use of the water outlet device 1 due to the placement of the nozzle 83 arranged downstream of the water outlet device 1, the stirring portion 46 is always kept filled with fluid in the foamer 5. In this way, the porous body can be prevented from being exposed to the air, thereby preventing the formation of scale on the porous body due to the concentration of minerals and silica components in the water. It should be noted that "always kept filled with fluid" means kept filled with fluid in two stages: during and after use of the water outlet device 1.

[0042] In the water discharge device 1 of this embodiment, the flow path of the gas-liquid mixed fluid (mixed water and compressed air) within the foamer 5 is the same as the flow path of the feed water (both pass through the agitator 46). Typically, when washing in the bathroom, after using the foam discharge mode, the water discharge mode is used to allow the foam to flow. Therefore, after the foam flows out, the foamer 5 is filled with water (the feed water). By using the same flow path in both the foam discharge mode and the water discharge mode, the foamer 5 can be cleaned with the feed water, thereby preventing clogging of the porous body by the metal soap.

[0043] In the above embodiment, the foamer 5 is arranged so that the outflow port 44 is located above the stirring portion 46 . However, any other arrangement may be used as long as the fluid can be retained in the foamer 5 . Figure 6 This shows a modified example in which the foaming device 5 is arranged horizontally. A pipe constituting the flow path 115 is connected to the outflow port 44 of the foaming device 5. Figure 6 In the example of FIG, the outlet 44 may not be located above the stirring portion. Figure 6 As shown in FIG. 1 , the pipeline is arranged so that at least a portion of the pipeline connected to the outlet 44 of the foamer 5 is located above the stirring portion. Figure 6 In the example shown in FIG. 4 , the pipe extending from the outflow port 44 rises to a position above the foam generator 5 and then extends downward. Even with such a pipe arrangement, the stirring section 46 is always kept filled with fluid, thereby preventing the formation of scale on the porous body.

[0044] The present invention has been described above based on the embodiments. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that these embodiments are merely illustrative and that various modifications and variations are possible within the scope of the present invention. Therefore, the descriptions and drawings in this specification are to be viewed by way of illustration and not by way of limitation.

[0045] Industrial Applicability

[0046] The present invention can be used for a water outlet device capable of releasing foam.

[0047] Description of Reference Numerals

[0048] 1: Water outlet device; 2: Liquid supply container; 3: Switcher; 4: Liquid aspirator; 5: Foamer; 6: Compressor; 7: Container mounting portion; 10: Shell; 11: Water supply port; 12: Water outlet; 40: Foamer body; 41: Mixed liquid inlet; 42: Air inlet; 43: Water inlet; 44: Outlet; 45: Mixing portion; 46: Stirring portion; 47: Porous body for pre-stirring; 48: Porous body for stirring.

Claims

1. A water outlet device, comprising a foamer, characterized in that: The foamer comprises: an inlet; a stirring portion for generating foam by stirring a fluid obtained by mixing air flowing in from the inlet with water and a liquid having a foaming component; and an outlet for causing the foam to flow out; The foamer is configured such that the stirring portion is filled with the upper water after the foam flows out. The stirring portion includes a plurality of porous bodies arranged along the flow direction of the fluid, The water outlet device further comprises: a pipeline connected to the downstream of the outflow port; a water outlet connected to the downstream of the pipeline; a hose of the nozzle connected to the downstream of the water outlet; The pipe is disposed so that at least a portion thereof is located above the stirring portion.

2. The water outlet device according to claim 1, The foamer is arranged so that the outflow port is located above the stirring portion.

3. The water outlet device according to claim 1, The foamer includes a foamer main body having an internal space. The internal space is provided with a mixing portion into which the fluid enters from the inlet, and the stirring portion downstream of the mixing portion.

4. The water outlet device according to claim 2, The foamer includes a foamer main body having an internal space. The internal space is provided with a mixing portion into which the fluid enters from the inlet, and the stirring portion downstream of the mixing portion.

5. The water outlet device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, The inlet includes: a mixed water inlet, into which mixed water containing a foaming component and water is flowed; an air inlet, into which compressed air is flowed; and a water inlet, into which upstream water is flowed.

6. The water outlet device according to claim 5, In the foamer, the flow path through which the gas-liquid mixed fluid obtained by mixing the mixed water and the compressed air passes is the same as the flow path through which the feed water passes.

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