Device for producing ultra-fine bubbles

Abstract

An apparatus for producing ultra-fine bubbles is provided with: a housing unit having a housing space formed therein for housing a liquid and a gas; a pressurizing unit for generating a pressurized gas-dissolved liquid in which a gas is pressurized and dissolved in the liquid in the accommodating space by compressing the accommodating space; a holding unit that holds a pressurized dissolved state in which a gas is pressurized and dissolved in the liquid; and a pressure reducing unit that reduces the pressure of the pressurized gas-dissolved solution by opening a communication path that connects the inside and the outside of the accommodation space in the pressurized dissolved state, thereby generating ultra-fine bubbles.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present application relates to a manufacturing apparatus of ultra-fine bubbles. BACKGROUND

[0002] In recent years, technologies utilizing the properties of fine bubbles have been attracting attention. Bubbles having a diameter of less than 100 μm are referred to as fine bubbles, and bubbles having a diameter of less than 1 μm (nanometer size) are distinguished from other bubbles as ultra-fine bubbles, and their usefulness has been confirmed in various fields.

[0003] Hitherto, various manufacturing methods of ultra-fine bubbles have been developed. For example, a manufacturing method of pressurized dissolution type, in which a gas is dissolved in a liquid by pressure, and then the gas is precipitated in the form of ultra-fine bubbles by using a supersaturated state by rapid decompression, is widely used. As a manufacturing apparatus of ultra-fine bubbles of pressurized dissolution type, a manufacturing apparatus is proposed which has a housing portion that houses a liquid and a gas, and a driving portion for pressurization in the housing portion, the time from the start of pressurization to the time when the pressure reaches a maximum pressure being 2.0 milliseconds or less, and the maximum pressure being 4.00 MPa or more (for example, Patent Literature 1).

[0004] PRIOR ART DOCUMENTS

[0005] PATENT LITERATURE

[0006] Patent Literature 1: International Publication No. 2021 / 090833 SUMMARY

[0007] PROBLEMS TO BE SOLVED BY THE INVENTION

[0008] The object of the technology of the present disclosure is to provide a technology for improving the performance of a manufacturing apparatus of ultra-fine bubbles.

[0009] SOLUTION TO PROBLEM

[0010] In order to solve the above problems, the manufacturing apparatus of ultra-fine bubbles of the present disclosure adopts the following configuration. That is, the gist of the technology of the present disclosure is as follows.

[0011] (1)

[0012] An ultrafine bubble production device includes a housing portion that forms an accommodation space in which a liquid and a gas are accommodated, a pressurization portion that generates a pressurized gas-dissolved liquid in which the gas is pressurized and dissolved in the liquid by compressing the accommodation space, a holding portion that holds a pressurized and dissolved state in which the gas is pressurized and dissolved in the liquid, and a depressurization portion that generates an ultrafine bubble by depressurizing the pressurized gas-dissolved liquid by opening a communication path that communicates an inside of the accommodation space with an outside in the pressurized and dissolved state.

[0013] 〔2〕

[0014] The ultrafine bubble production device according to (1), wherein the pressurization portion has a sliding portion that is inserted into the housing portion in a manner of forming the accommodation space between the housing portion and the sliding portion and is slidable in the housing portion along an insertion direction with respect to the housing portion, the accommodation space is compressed by relatively moving the sliding portion with respect to the housing portion in the insertion direction, and the holding portion restricts relative movement of the sliding portion with respect to the housing portion in a direction opposite to the insertion direction in the pressurized and dissolved state.

[0015] 〔3〕

[0016] The ultrafine bubble production device according to (2), wherein the pressurization portion has a threaded shaft portion that extends along the insertion direction and has an outer thread groove formed on an outer periphery, and the holding portion has a threaded hole portion into which the threaded shaft portion is inserted and has an inner thread groove that is screwed with the outer thread groove of the threaded shaft portion, and the sliding portion is relatively moved with respect to the housing portion in the insertion direction by screwing the threaded shaft portion with respect to the threaded hole portion.

[0017] 〔4〕

[0018] The ultrafine bubble production device according to any one of (1) to (3), wherein the depressurization portion has a valve body that is changeable in state from a closed state in which the communication path is closed to an open state in which the communication path is opened, and a drive portion that imparts energy to the valve body for changing the valve body from the closed state to the open state.

[0019] 〔5〕

[0020] The ultrafine bubble production device according to (4), wherein the valve body closes the communication path by fitting in the communication path in the closed state, and the drive portion changes the valve body from the closed state to the open state by pressing the valve body from an outside of the accommodation space toward an inside.

[0021] 〔6〕

[0022] The manufacturing device of ultra-fine bubbles according to 4 or 5, wherein the driving section has an igniter that ignites a primer by supply of operating power, and imparts combustion energy of the primer to the valve body.

[0023] 〔7〕

[0024] The manufacturing device of ultra-fine bubbles according to 4 or 5, wherein the driving section has an elastic body that imparts elastic energy to the valve body by recovering from a compressed state to an elongated state that is longer than the compressed state.

[0025] Effects of Invention

[0026] According to the present disclosure, it is possible to improve the performance of the manufacturing device of ultra-fine bubbles. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0027] Figure 1 is an overall perspective view of a manufacturing device of ultra-fine bubbles (hereinafter, simply referred to as "manufacturing device") of Embodiment 1.

[0028] Figure 2 is a plan view of the manufacturing device of Embodiment 1.

[0029] Figure 3 is an A-A sectional view of Figure 2

[0030] Figure 4 is a partial sectional view of the manufacturing device of Embodiment 1 when the valve is in a closed state and the inside of the accommodation space is in a gas-liquid separation state.

[0031] Figure 5 is a B-B sectional view of Figure 4

[0032] Figure 6 is a sectional view of the manufacturing device of Embodiment 1 when the valve is in a closed state and the inside of the accommodation space is set to a pressurized dissolution state.

[0033] Figure 7 is a sectional view of the manufacturing device of Embodiment 1 when the inside of the accommodation space is in a pressurized dissolution state and the valve is set to an open state.

[0034] Figure 8 is a partial sectional view of the manufacturing device of Embodiment 1 when the inside of the accommodation space is in a pressurized dissolution state and the valve is set to an open state.

[0035] Figure 9 is a sectional view of the manufacturing device of Embodiment 2 when the valve is in a closed state and the inside of the accommodation space is in a gas-liquid separation state.

[0036] Figure 10 ​​Fig. 2 is a sectional view of the manufacturing apparatus in a state in which the valve is set to the open state and the inside of the accommodation space is in a pressurized dissolved state in Embodiment 2. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0037] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present disclosure will be described. Note that each of the configurations in the embodiment and combinations thereof are one example, and addition, omission, substitution, and other changes can be appropriately made to the configurations without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. The present disclosure is not limited to the embodiment, but is limited only by the claims.

[0038] One embodiment of the present disclosure is a manufacturing apparatus of ultrafine bubbles, the manufacturing apparatus including: an accommodation portion in which an accommodation space in which a liquid and a gas are accommodated is formed inside; a pressurizing portion that generates a pressurized gas dissolved liquid in which the gas is pressurized and dissolved in the liquid by compressing the accommodation space inside the accommodation space; a holding portion that holds a pressurized dissolved state in which the gas is pressurized and dissolved in the liquid; and a depressurizing portion that generates ultrafine bubbles by depressurizing the pressurized gas dissolved liquid by opening a communication path that communicates the inside of the accommodation space with the outside in the pressurized dissolved state.

[0039] In the present disclosure, "ultrafine bubbles" refer to bubbles having a diameter of less than 1 pm. Furthermore, most of the bubbles manufactured by the apparatus of the present embodiment are ultrafine bubbles, but as the bubbles manufactured by the apparatus of the present embodiment, it is also possible to include bubbles that do not satisfy the above definition.

[0040] Furthermore, in the present disclosure, the liquid accommodated in the accommodation portion is not particularly limited. As the liquid, for example, a liquid that can be used as a solvent (for example, water, alcohol, oil, and the like) can be cited. Furthermore, a solution (for example, a culture solution (liquid medium), physiological saline, a phosphate buffer, a reagent for preparation, a solution-like cosmetic, and the like) can be cited. Furthermore, an emulsion (an emulsion-like cosmetic and the like) can be cited. Furthermore, it is also possible to use a liquid of two or more kinds among these. Moreover, the liquid can include a low molecule or a high molecule, and can include an inorganic substance or an organic substance (for example, a biological component such as a nucleic acid, and the like). In one preferred aspect of the present embodiment, the liquid is a liquid that does not include microorganisms and the like. In one preferred aspect of the present embodiment, the water is pure water (for example, distilled water, RO water, RO-EDI water, ion exchange water), and in another preferred aspect, the water is ultrapure water. As ultrapure water, for example, Milli-Q water can be cited.

[0041] Further, in the present disclosure, the gas accommodated in the accommodation portion is not particularly limited. As the gas, for example, air can be exemplified. Further, nitrogen, oxygen, ozone, carbon dioxide, hydrogen, carbon monoxide, a mixed gas of any two or more of these can be exemplified. In a preferred aspect of the present embodiment, the gas is a gas not containing microorganisms or the like. The air can be air generally used, and the composition thereof is not particularly limited. For example, a mixed gas of about 8% of nitrogen and about 2% of oxygen can be exemplified.

[0042] Further, in the present disclosure, the energy imparting using the driving portion for changing the valve body to the open state in which the communication passage is opened can adopt a manner of energy imparting using a publicly known pressurization technique. As one example of the energy imparted, it can be chemical energy, for example, combustion energy generated by oxidation reaction of gunpowder, explosives, or the like. Further, as another method, the energy for the change can also be electrically generated, and as one example thereof, it can be energy resulting from a piezoelectric element, an electromagnetic driver driven by electric power supplied. Also, as another method, the energy for the change can also be physically generated, and as one example thereof, it can be elastic energy from an elastic body, internal energy possessed by a compression object such as a compressed gas. For example, the driving portion can also generate energy by releasing the pressure of the compressed gas. Further, as another method, the energy for the change can also be generated by hand (human power). For example, the driving portion can also impart energy to the valve body by transmitting the human power of an operator. That is, the energy for the change can be any energy as long as it is energy that can change the valve body from the closed state to the open state. Further, the energy for the change can also be a composite type of energy in which these combustion energy, energy from electric power, internal energy such as elastic energy, and energy from hand (human power) are appropriately combined.

[0043] <Embodiment 1>

[0044] Hereinafter, the manufacturing device of the ultrafine gas bubbles of Embodiment 1 will be described with reference to the drawings.

[0045] [Overall Configuration]

[0046] Figure 1 is an overall perspective view of the manufacturing device (hereinafter, simply referred to as "manufacturing device") 100 of the ultrafine gas bubbles of Embodiment 1. Figure 2 is a plan view of the manufacturing device 100 of Embodiment 1. Further, Figure 3 is Figure 2 is an A-A sectional view of Figures 1-3 The arrows illustrated in Figure 3In the present embodiment, a cross section along the front-rear direction of the manufacturing apparatus 100 is illustrated. In the description, with respect to the front-rear direction, the side of the actuating screw shown by reference numeral 4 is set as the rear side, and the side of the driving section shown by reference numeral 7 is set as the front side. However, the front-rear, up-down, left-right, and the like directions in the present description merely indicate the relative positional relationship of the respective members constituting the manufacturing apparatus 100.

[0047] As shown in FIG. 1, the manufacturing apparatus 100 is provided with a container 1 (one example of the "accommodating section" of the present disclosure), a pressurizing section 10, a depressurizing section 20, and a holding member 8 (one example of the "holding section" of the present disclosure). Figure 1 As shown in FIG. 1, the manufacturing apparatus 100 is provided with a container 1 (one example of the "accommodating section" of the present disclosure), a pressurizing section 10, a depressurizing section 20, and a holding member 8 (one example of the "holding section" of the present disclosure). Figure 3 As shown in FIG. 1, the manufacturing apparatus 100 is provided with a container 1 (one example of the "accommodating section" of the present disclosure), a pressurizing section 10, a depressurizing section 20, and a holding member 8 (one example of the "holding section" of the present disclosure). Figures 1-3 In the present embodiment, a state in which the liquid L1 and the gas G1 are separated within the accommodating space S1 (hereinafter, also referred to as a gas-liquid separation state) is illustrated, Figure 3 a state in which the valve shown by reference numeral 5 closes the communication path shown by reference numeral 14 (hereinafter, also referred to as a closed state). Details will be described later, the manufacturing apparatus 100 generates a pressurized gas-dissolved liquid L2 (refer to FIG. 2) in which the gas G1 is pressurized-dissolved in the liquid L1 by compressing the accommodating space S1 using the pressurizing section 10. Figure 6 The manufacturing apparatus 100 generates a super-fine bubble liquid L3 (refer to FIG. 3) containing super-fine bubbles by rapidly depressurizing the pressurized gas-dissolved liquid L2 using the depressurizing section 20 in a state in which the gas G1 is pressurized-dissolved in the liquid L1 (hereinafter, referred to as a pressurized-dissolved state). Figure 7 Hereinafter, the respective configurations of the manufacturing apparatus 100 will be described.

[0048] [Container]

[0049] The container 1 is a bottomed cylindrical member extending in the front-rear direction and having one end portion (front end portion) closed and the other end portion (rear end portion) open. More specifically, the container 1 has a cylindrical wall portion 11 extending in the front-rear direction and a closure portion 12 closing the front end portion of the wall portion 11, and is formed in a syringe shape with the rear end portion of the wall portion 11 open. However, the shape of the container 1 is not limited to the syringe shape. Further, the wall portion 11 of the present example is cylindrical as one example, but is not limited to the cylindrical shape, and can be, for example, a square cylindrical shape. With the wall portion 11 and the closure portion 12, a sliding hole 13 extending in the front-rear direction is formed in the container 1. The sliding hole 13 is formed as a space surrounded by the wall portion 11 and the closure portion 12, and is open at the rear end portion of the container 1 with the closure portion 12 as the bottom portion. That is, one end portion (front end portion) of the sliding hole 13 is closed by the closure portion 12, and the other end portion (rear end portion) is open. As described later, in the interior of the container 1, a housing space S1 is formed by a portion of the sliding hole 13. Further, a communication path 14 is formed in the closure portion 12. The communication path 14 is formed as a through hole penetrating the closure portion 12 in the front-rear direction. Thus, the communication path 14 communicates the interior of the housing space S1 with the exterior of the housing space S1. The communication path 14 is formed in the center of the closure portion 12 in a cross section orthogonal to the front-rear direction. The material of the container 1 is not particularly limited, and for example, a resin material can be cited. As the resin material forming the container 1, for example, a publicly known nylon 6-12, polyarylate, polycarbonate, polybutylene terephthalate, polyphenylene sulfide, or liquid crystal polymer, or the like can be used.

[0050] [Pressurizing portion]

[0051] The pressurizing portion 10 includes a plunger 2 (one example of the "sliding portion" of the present disclosure), a slider 3, and an actuating screw 4 (one example of the "screw shaft portion" of the present disclosure), which are integrally linked. The pressurizing portion 10 is disposed at the rear side of the container 1 and held to the holder 8 so as to be movable in the front-rear direction.

[0052] [Plunger]

[0053] The plunger 2 has a substantially cylindrical outer shape, and is inserted into the sliding hole 13 from the opening of the sliding hole 13 formed in the rear end portion of the container 1. Here, the direction in which the plunger 2 is inserted with respect to the container 1 is referred to as the "insertion direction". In the present example, the direction parallel to the front-rear direction and from the opening end portion (rear end portion) of the container 1 toward the closed end portion (front end portion) (that is, the front side in the front-rear direction) is the "insertion direction". The plunger 2 is inserted into the container 1 in a manner fitted to the peripheral wall portion 11 of the container 1. Thereby, the accommodation space S1 is formed between the container 1 and the plunger 2. The accommodation space S1 is formed as the space in the sliding hole 13 on the insertion direction side from the plunger 2. Further, the plunger 2 is slidable within the container 1 (within the sliding hole 13) in the insertion direction. When the valve 5 is in the closed state, the accommodation space S1 is compressed by moving the plunger 2 in the insertion direction while sliding on the inner wall (inner peripheral surface of the peripheral wall portion 11) of the sliding hole 13.

[0054] The plunger 2 has a plunger main body 21, a plunger rod 22, and a seal 23. The plunger main body 21 is a bottomed cylindrical member extending in the front-rear direction with the front end portion closed and the rear end portion open, and is fitted to the peripheral wall portion 11 of the container 1. The material of the plunger main body 21 is not particularly limited, and a resin material such as PPS (polyphenylene sulfide), POM (polyacetal), PA (polyamide), or the like can be exemplified. Further, the plunger main body 21 can also be formed of a metal material such as aluminum, an aluminum alloy (A6061 or the like), titanium, or the like. The plunger rod 22 is a substantially cylindrical shaft body extending in the front-rear direction, and is fixed in a state fitted to the plunger main body 21. The plunger rod 22 can be formed of a metal material such as stainless steel, steel, or the like, for example. However, the material of the plunger rod 22 is not limited to the above. The plunger main body 21 and the plunger rod 22 are integrally formed, for example, by insert molding the resin plunger main body 21 and the plunger rod 22. Further, an annular mounting groove is formed on the outer peripheral surface of the plunger main body 21 extending in the peripheral direction, and the circular ring-shaped seal 23 is mounted in the mounting groove. The seal 23 is a sealing member that seals the accommodation space S1 by pressing the inner wall (inner peripheral surface of the peripheral wall portion 11) of the sliding hole 13, and forms a fitted state of the plunger 2 and the sliding hole 13. As the seal 23, an O-ring made of rubber, for example, can be used.

[0055] As described above, the plunger 2 is inserted into the container 1 in a manner forming the accommodation space S1 between the container 1, and is slidable within the container 1 in the insertion direction.

[0056] [Slide]

[0057] The slider 3 is a bottomed cylindrical component extending in the front-rear direction, open at the front end and closed at the rear end. It is disposed behind the plunger 2 and transmits the axial force of the actuating screw 4 to the plunger 2. A slit 31 extending in the front-rear direction from the middle of the slider 3 to the front end is formed on the upper surface of the slider 3. Furthermore, a guide groove 32 extending in the front-rear direction (i.e., the insertion direction) is formed on the lower surface of the slider 3. In addition, a recess 33 is formed at the front end of the slider 3 for the rear end of the plunger body 21 to be inserted. Furthermore, a generally cylindrical insert 34 protruding rearward is formed at the rear end of the slider 3. The material of the slider 3 is not particularly limited, and the same resin material as the container 1 described above can be used as an example.

[0058] [Actuating screw]

[0059] The actuating screw 4 is a threaded member with an external threaded groove formed on the outer periphery of a shaft extending in the front-to-back direction (insertion direction). In this embodiment, the actuating screw 4 is formed as a headless threaded member, also known as a fully threaded screw or a full screw. Figure 3 As shown, an external threaded groove 41a is formed on the outer peripheral surface 41 of the actuating screw 4. Furthermore, an embedded portion 43, recessed rearwardly for embedding the slider 3, is formed at the front end of the actuating screw 4. Additionally, a locking hole 44 for engaging a fastening tool is formed at the rear end of the actuating screw 4. In this example, the locking hole 44 is a square hole (a hole with a quadrilateral cross-section) so that the tip of a four-corner wrench, used as a fastening tool, can engage. However, the shape of the locking hole 44 is not particularly limited and can be appropriately selected corresponding to the tip shape of the fastening tool used for rotating the actuating screw 4. For example, when using a hexagonal wrench as a fastening tool, the locking hole 44 can also be set as a hexagonal hole (a hole with a hexagonal cross-section). The actuating screw 4 is inserted into the threaded hole 821 formed in the retainer 8. It should be noted that in this embodiment, the plunger 2 and the actuating screw 4 are formed as separate components, but in the technology disclosed herein, the sliding part and the screw shaft part can also be formed as an integral component. The material of the actuating screw 4 is not particularly limited; examples include stainless steel, steel, and other metal materials. Furthermore, the actuating screw 4 can also be formed of resin material.

[0060] [Decompression Department]

[0061] The pressure-reducing unit 20 includes a valve 5 (an example of the "valve body" of this disclosure), a connecting member 6, and a drive unit 7. The pressure-reducing unit 20 is disposed on the front side of the container 1 and integrally connected to the container 1.

[0062] [Connecting structural components]

[0063] The connecting member 6 is a cylindrical component extending in the front-rear direction and open at both ends, connecting the container 1 to the drive unit 7. The connecting member 6 has: a cylindrical large-diameter portion including the rear end of the connecting member 6; and a cylindrical small-diameter portion including the front end of the connecting member 6, with an outer diameter smaller than the large-diameter portion. A pressure relief space S2 is formed between the container 1 and the large-diameter portion 61 by connecting the rear end of the connecting member 6 to the front end (closure portion 12) of the container 1. Furthermore, a pressure relief hole 63 is formed in the large-diameter portion 61, communicating the interior of the pressure relief space S2 with external air. The material of the connecting member 6 is not particularly limited; for example, the same resin material as the container 1 described above can be used.

[0064] [valve]

[0065] Figure 4 This is a partial cross-sectional view of the manufacturing apparatus 100 in Embodiment 1, where valve 5 is in the closed state and the accommodating space S1 is in a gas-liquid separation state. Figure 4 The diagram omits all components except for container 1, plunger 2, valve 5, and connecting component 6. Valve 5 moves rearward in a forward-backward direction by receiving energy from drive unit 7, enabling the state to change from... Figure 4 The closed state of the closed connection 14 shown is directed towards Figure 8 The diagram shows the change in the state of opening the connecting passage 14 (hereinafter also referred to as the open state). It should be noted that in this specification, "open" means a state where fluid can flow. When the containment space S1 is in a pressurized dissolution state, valve 5 changes from a closed state to an open state, thereby depressurizing the pressurized gas dissolution liquid L2. Here, the direction of movement of valve 5 (in this example, the rear side of the front-to-back direction) for switching valve 5 from the closed state to the open state is referred to as the "opening direction." In this example, the direction parallel to the front-to-back direction and from the closed end (front end) of container 1 towards the open end (rear end) (that is, the rear side of the front-to-back direction) is called the "opening direction." In this example, the "opening direction" and the "insertion direction" are opposite directions. Valve 5 includes: a valve body 51 for opening and closing the connecting passage 14; a valve stem 52 for receiving energy from the drive unit 7; and a seal 5a that forms an engaged state between valve 5 and the connecting passage 14 in the closed state.

[0066] The valve body 51 is formed in a substantially cylindrical shape extending in the front-rear direction, and includes a stop portion 511 constituting an end portion (rear end portion) on the opening direction side of the valve body 51, and a passage portion 512 extending from the stop portion 511 toward the opposite side (front side) of the opening direction. The diameter of the stop portion 511 is larger (wider) than the opening width of the accommodation space S1 side of the communication path 14, so as not to pass through the communication path 14. Therefore, in the closed state, the stop portion 511 abuts against the closed portion 12 of the container 1 from the opening direction (rear side), thereby restricting the valve 5 from moving toward the opposite side (front side) of the opening direction. Thus, in the closed state, the valve 5 is restricted from passing through the communication path 14 toward the opening direction, thereby opening the communication path 14. Further, the stop portion 511 has a shape in which the width is reduced (diameter is reduced) toward the opening direction (rear side), so as to be easily inserted into the pressurized gas-dissolved liquid L2. Thus, the valve 5 receiving energy from the drive portion 7 is easily moved toward the opening direction, so that the valve 5 is easily switched from the closed state to the opened state. The passage portion 512 extends from the stop portion 511 toward the front side and is inserted into the communication path 14, and is connected to the valve stem 52 in the pressure relief space S2. Further, an annular mounting groove 513 is formed on the outer peripheral surface of the passage portion 512 so as to extend in the circumferential direction. The material of the valve body 51 is not particularly limited, and a metal material such as brass can be exemplified. Further, the valve body 51 can also be formed of a resin material.

[0067] The valve stem 52 is formed in a cylindrical shape extending in the front-rear direction, and is inserted into the small diameter portion 62 of the connecting member 6. The valve stem 52 is arranged such that the end portion (rear end portion) on the opening direction side is located in the pressure relief space S2 and the end portion (front end portion) on the opposite side of the opening direction is located in the drive portion 7. An insertion hole 521 into which the passage portion 512 of the valve body 51 is inserted is formed in the rear end portion of the valve stem 52. The diameter of the rear end portion of the valve stem 52 is larger (wider) than the opening width of the pressure relief space S2 side of the communication path 14, so as not to pass through the communication path 14. Therefore, the valve stem 52 abuts against the closed portion 12 of the container 1 from the opposite side (front side) of the opening direction, thereby restricting the valve 5 from moving toward the opening direction (rear side). Thus, in the opened state, the valve 5 is restricted from passing through the communication path 14 toward the opening direction (refer to Figure 8 ). The material of the valve stem 52 is not particularly limited, and a resin material same as the container 1 described above can be exemplified.

[0068] Here, Figure 5 is Figure 4 a B-B sectional view of Figure 5 . In Figure 4 and Figure 5 , a cross section of the valve 5 orthogonal to the opening direction (front-rear direction in this example) is illustrated. As

[0069] Further, asFigure 4 As shown, a seal 5a as a seal member in a circular ring shape is installed in the mounting groove 513 of the valve body 51. The seal 5a seals the accommodation space SI by pressing the inner wall of the communication path 14, and forms a fitted state of the valve 5 with the communication path 14. As the seal 5a, for example, an O-ring made of rubber can be used. The valve 5 is fitted with the communication path 14 in the closed state, thereby closing the communication path 14.

[0070] Note that, in order to maintain the closed state of the valve 5, a biasing member that biases the valve 5 to the opposite side of the opening direction can also be provided. For example, a spring in a compressed state can also be interposed between the valve stem 52 and the closure portion 12 of the container 1 as the biasing member.

[0071] [Drive section]

[0072] The drive section 7 imparts, by working, energy for changing the valve 5 from the closed state to the open state. More specifically, the drive section 7 imparts the combustion energy of the priming agent to the valve 5, and presses the valve 5 from the outside of the accommodation space SI toward the inside, thereby switching the valve 5 from the closed state to the open state. As shown, Figure 3 The drive section 7 has a housing 71, an igniter 72, a fixing member 73, and a piston 74.

[0073] [Housing]

[0074] The housing 71 is a cylindrical member that extends in the front-rear direction. The small-diameter portion 62 of the connecting member 6 is joined to the rear end portion of the housing 71 in a fitted state. The igniter 72 is fixed to the front end portion of the housing 71 in a fitted state by the fixing member 73. Further, the front end portion of the valve stem 52 that protrudes forward from the small-diameter portion 62 of the connecting member 6 is inserted into the housing 71. Further, the outer diameter of the rear end portion of the housing 71 is smaller than the outer diameter of the large-diameter portion 61 of the connecting member 6. Therefore, the connecting member 6 protrudes to the outer side in the radial direction than the rear end portion of the housing 71, and thereby a radial step portion 201 is formed between the connecting member 6 and the drive section 7 in the pressure reducing portion 20. The material of the housing 71 is not particularly limited, and a metal material such as stainless steel, steel, or the like can be exemplified. Further, the housing 71 can also be formed of the same resin material as the above-described container 1.

[0075] [Igniter]

[0076] The igniter 72 is configured as an electric igniter, and serves as a drive source of the drive section 7, and generates energy for switching the valve 5 from the closed state to the open state. The igniter 72 has an igniter body 721 in which a priming powder is accommodated, and a conductive pin 722 extending from the igniter body 721, and operates by work power supplied from an external power source (not shown) such as a battery to the conductive pin 722, and causes the priming powder to burn, thereby releasing a combustion product (flame, combustion gas, etc.). Thus, as the pressure of the combustion product, combustion energy is generated. The igniter 72 is embedded in the front end portion of the housing 71 in such a manner that the igniter body 721 faces the inside space of the housing 71 and the conductive pin 722 faces the outside space of the housing 71. The conductive pin 722 is configured as a connector (not shown) on the power source side, and by connecting the conductive pin 722 to the connector on the power source side, work power can be supplied to the igniter 72.

[0077] [Priming powder]

[0078] Here, as the priming powder for the igniter 72, for example, a powder containing zirconium and potassium perchlorate (ZPP), a powder containing titanium hydride and potassium perchlorate (THPP), a powder containing titanium and potassium perchlorate (TiPP), a powder containing aluminum and potassium perchlorate (APP), a powder containing aluminum and bismuth oxide (ABO), a powder containing aluminum and molybdenum oxide (AMO), a powder containing aluminum and copper oxide (ACO), a powder containing aluminum and iron oxide (AFO), or a powder composed of a plurality of these powders can be exemplified. Note that, as long as energy for switching the valve 5 from the closed state to the open state is generated, a powder other than these can also be used as the priming powder.

[0079] [Fixing member]

[0080] The fixing member 73 is formed by injection molding of resin. The injection molding can use a publicly known method. In addition, the fixing member 73 can use the same resin material as the container 1. The fixing member 73 fixes the igniter 72 to the housing 71 in such a manner as to close the front end portion of the housing 71.

[0081] [Piston]

[0082] The piston 74 is formed in a substantially cylindrical shape extending in the front-rear direction, and is disposed between the valve rod 52 and the igniter 72 in the internal space of the housing 71. The piston 74 is slidable while moving in the opening direction with respect to the inner peripheral surface of the housing 71, and transmits combustion energy (pressure) generated by the operation of the igniter 72 to the valve 5. The piston 74 can be formed of a metal material such as stainless steel, steel, or the like, and an O-ring or the like can be provided at a portion thereof in order to improve the adhesion of the piston 74 to the sliding surface (that is, the inner peripheral surface of the housing 71) on which the piston 74 slides. As another method, the piston 74 can be formed of resin, and in this case, a metal can be used at a portion thereof at which heat resistance and pressure resistance are required. However, the material of the piston 74 is not particularly limited.

[0083] As shown in FIG. 1, the housing 71 has a cylindrical shape extending in the front-rear direction, and the valve rod 52 is disposed in the internal space of the housing 71. The valve rod 52 is formed in a substantially cylindrical shape extending in the front-rear direction, and is disposed in the internal space of the housing 71. The valve rod 52 is formed of a metal material such as stainless steel, steel, or the like, and an O-ring or the like can be provided at a portion thereof in order to improve the adhesion of the valve rod 52 to the sliding surface (that is, the inner peripheral surface of the housing 71) on which the valve rod 52 slides. The valve rod 52 is formed in a substantially cylindrical shape extending in the front-rear direction, and is disposed in the internal space of the housing 71. The valve rod 52 is formed of a metal material such as stainless steel, steel, or the like, and an O-ring or the like can be provided at a portion thereof in order to improve the adhesion of the valve rod 52 to the sliding surface (that is, the inner peripheral surface of the housing 71) on which the valve rod 52 slides. Figure 3 As shown in FIG. 1, the housing 71 has a cylindrical shape extending in the front-rear direction, and the valve rod 52 is disposed in the internal space of the housing 71. The valve rod 52 is formed in a substantially cylindrical shape extending in the front-rear direction, and is disposed in the internal space of the housing 71. The valve rod 52 is formed of a metal material such as stainless steel, steel, or the like, and an O-ring or the like can be provided at a portion thereof in order to improve the adhesion of the valve rod 52 to the sliding surface (that is, the inner peripheral surface of the housing 71) on which the valve rod 52 slides. The valve rod 52 is formed in a substantially cylindrical shape extending in the front-rear direction, and is disposed in the internal space of the housing 71. The valve rod 52 is formed of a metal material such as stainless steel, steel, or the like, and an O-ring or the like can be provided at a portion thereof in order to improve the adhesion of the valve rod 52 to the sliding surface (that is, the inner peripheral surface of the housing 71) on which the valve rod 52 slides.

[0084] [Holder]

[0085] The holder 8 is configured to hold the pressurized dissolved state. The material of the holder 8 is not particularly limited, and a metal material such as stainless steel, steel, or the like can be exemplified. In addition, the holder 8 can be formed of the same resin material as the container 1 described above. As shown in FIG. 1, the holder 8 has a base portion 81, a first support portion 82, a guide portion 83, and a second support portion 84. Figures 1-3

[0086] The base portion 81 is formed in a plate shape orthogonal to the up-down direction and extending in the front-rear direction. The container 1, the pressurizing portion 10, and the depressurizing portion 20 are placed on the base portion 81. In addition, the first support portion 82, the guide portion 83, and the second support portion 84 are provided upright on the upper surface of the base portion 81.

[0087] The first support portion 82 is a portion that supports the actuating screw 4 of the pressurizing portion 10, and is provided upright in a manner extending in the left-right direction along the rear end edge of the base portion 81. A threaded hole 821 (an example of a "threaded hole portion" of the present disclosure) into which the actuating screw 4 is inserted is formed in the first support portion 82. The threaded hole 821 extends in the front-rear direction and penetrates the first support portion 82. As shown in FIG. 1, the threaded hole 821 is formed in a manner extending in the front-rear direction along the center axis of the actuating screw 4.​Figure 3 As shown, an inner thread groove 82a that is screwed with the outer thread groove 41a formed on the outer peripheral surface 41 of the actuating screw 4 is formed on the inner peripheral surface of the threaded hole 821. By screwing the outer thread groove 41a of the actuating screw 4 with the inner thread groove 82a of the threaded hole 821, the actuating screw 4 is supported by the first support portion 82. By relatively rotating the actuating screw 4 around the shaft with respect to the threaded hole 821, the actuating screw 4 can move in the front-rear direction. On the other hand, by screwing the outer thread groove 41a with the inner thread groove 82a, the actuating screw 4 is restricted from moving in the front-rear direction without the aid of a rotation operation.

[0088] The guide portion 83 is a portion that guides the slider 3 of the pressurizing portion 10 to move in the front-rear direction, and is erected at a position on the front side of the first support portion 82. The guide portion 83 has: a pair of guide wall portions 831, 831 that are erected in a manner of extending in the front-rear direction along the left and right edges of the base portion 81; and a guide rib 832 that is provided in the left-right direction between the pair of guide wall portions 831, 831 in a manner of extending in the front-rear direction. The pair of guide wall portions 831, 831 are adjacent to the left and right sides of the slider 3, and the guide rib 832 is received by the guide groove 32 formed on the lower surface of the slider 3. Thus, the movement of the slider 3 in the front-rear direction is guided by the guide portion 83.

[0089] The second support portion 84 is a portion that supports the decompressing portion 20, and is erected at a position on the front side of the guide portion 83. The second support portion 84 is formed with a receiving portion 841 that opens upward as a recess that receives the decompressing portion 20. Further, the inner wall of the receiving portion 841 has an abutting portion 842 that abuts against the stepped portion 201 formed on the decompressing portion 20 from the front side (the top side of the insertion direction). Thus, the decompressing portion 20 is supported by the second support portion 84 to be restricted from moving in the insertion direction. As described above, the decompressing portion 20 is integrally linked with the container 1, and thus the movement of the container 1 in the insertion direction is also restricted by the second support portion 84.

[0090] [Operation]

[0091] Hereinafter, the operation of the manufacturing device 100 will be described. Figure 6 FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view of the manufacturing device 100 when the valve 5 is in the closed state and the inside of the accommodation space S1 is set to the pressurized dissolution state in Embodiment 1. Figure 7 FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view of the manufacturing device 100 when the inside of the accommodation space S1 is in the pressurized dissolution state and the valve 5 is set to the open state in Embodiment 1. Figure 6 FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view of the manufacturing device 100 when the valve 5 is in the closed state and the inside of the accommodation space S1 is set to the pressurized dissolution state in Embodiment 2. Figure 7 FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view of the manufacturing device 100 when the inside of the accommodation space S1 is in the pressurized dissolution state and the valve 5 is set to the open state in Embodiment 2. Figure 3 FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view corresponding to FIG. 7, which illustrates a cross section along the front-rear direction of the manufacturing device 100. Figure 8 FIG. 12 is a partial cross-sectional view of the manufacturing device 100 when the inside of the accommodation space S1 is in the pressurized dissolution state and the valve 5 is set to the open state in Embodiment 1.Figure 8 and Figure 4 Correspondingly, the illustrations other than container 1, plunger 2, valve 5, and connecting component 6 are omitted.

[0092] First, such as Figure 3 As shown, with the desired liquid L1 and gas G1 contained in the containing space S1, the container 1, pressurizing unit 10, and depressurizing unit 20 are installed on the retaining member 8. At this time, the valve 5 is set to the closed state so that the liquid L1 and gas G1 do not flow out into the depressurization space S2 through the connecting passage 14, thereby closing the connecting passage 14 and sealing the containing space S1. Furthermore, at this stage, the containing space S1 is not compressed to the point that gas G1 is pressurized and dissolved in liquid L1, and it is in a gas-liquid separation state.

[0093] Next, as Figure 6 As shown, by compressing the space S1 using the pressurizing unit 10, the gas G1 is pressurized and dissolved in the liquid L1, resulting in a pressurized dissolution state (pressurization process). Specifically, with the valve 5 in the closed state, the actuating screw 4 is rotated to advance in the insertion direction (front side of the front-to-back direction). At this time, the rotation of the actuating screw 4 can be performed by the user by hand, or it can be performed using a fastening tool through the engagement hole 44 formed at the rear end of the actuating screw 4. Alternatively, as another method, a motor can be connected to the actuating screw 4 to rotate the actuating screw 4 electrically.

[0094] As described above, the plunger 2, slider 3, and actuating screw 4 are integrally connected, so the slider 3 and plunger 2 also move in the insertion direction in conjunction with the actuating screw 4. Specifically, as the actuating screw 4 is screwed into the threaded hole 821 in the insertion direction, the slider 3, connected to the actuating screw 4, is pressed in the insertion direction by the axial force of the actuating screw 4 and moves in the insertion direction while being guided by the guide part 83. Similarly, the plunger 2, connected to the slider 3, is pressed in the insertion direction by the axial force of the actuating screw 4 transmitted by the slider 3. Here, as described above, the movement of the container 1 in the insertion direction is restricted by the second support part 84 of the retainer 8. Therefore, the plunger 2 inserted into the container 1 slides in the insertion direction within the sliding hole 13 of the container 1. As the plunger 2 moves relative to the container 1 in the insertion direction, the volume of the containing space S1 decreases. At this time, the valve 5 is closed, thus the containing space S1 is sealed, and the containing space S1 is compressed, while the liquid L1 and gas G1 are pressurized. Liquid L1 and gas G1 are gradually pressurized as the actuating screw 4 rotates in the insertion direction. It should be noted that in the pressurized dissolution state, the valve 5 is pressed towards the opposite side (front side) of the opening direction by the compression of the containing space S1 by the pressurizing part 10. However, as described above, the movement of the valve 5 towards the front is restricted by the stop part 511, thus preventing the valve 5 from passing through the connecting passage 14 and opening the connecting passage 14. Therefore, the valve 5 remains in the closed state.

[0095] Gas G1 is pressurized, causing it to dissolve in liquid L1 and become supersaturated, thereby generating a pressurized gas-dissolved liquid L2 in the containing space S1. The pressurized gas-dissolved liquid L2 is essentially a liquid in which gas G1 is dissolved under pressure in liquid L1. Thus, the containing space S1 is in a pressurized dissolved state. In this pressurized dissolved state, the plunger 2 is pressed towards the opposite side (rear side) of the insertion direction by the restoring force (rebound force) of the compressed containing space S1. However, the engagement of the external thread groove 41a of the actuating screw 4 with the internal thread groove 82a of the retainer 8 restricts the rearward movement of the actuating screw 4. Therefore, relative movement of the plunger 2 relative to the container 1 towards the opposite side of the insertion direction is suppressed. Thus, the compressed state of the containing space S1 is maintained by the retainer 8, and the pressurized dissolved state within the containing space S1 is maintained.

[0096] Next, as Figure 7 and Figure 8 As shown, under pressurized dissolution conditions, the valve 5 of the depressurization section 20 is changed from the closed state to the open state, thereby rapidly depressurizing the pressurized gas dissolution liquid L2 (depressurization process) to generate ultrafine bubble liquid L3.

[0097] In detail, in a state where the pressurized dissolving state is held by the holder 8, the working power is supplied to the igniter 72, thereby operating the igniter 72. The power supply to the igniter 72 can be controlled by a control section (not shown) such as a microcomputer, for example. For example, the control section supplies the working power from a power source to the conductive pin 772 of the igniter 72 when a user operates a prescribed switch (not shown) as a trigger.

[0098] When the igniter 72 operates, the fire powder accommodated in the igniter main body 721 burns, and the combustion product of the fire powder is released into the combustion chamber S3. Thereby, the piston 74 is pressed by the combustion energy (pressure of the combustion product) of the fire powder toward the opening direction (rear direction) of the valve 5. The piston 74 moves at high speed toward the opening direction while sliding on the inner peripheral surface of the housing 71. Also, by the piston 74 colliding with the valve rod 52 of the valve 5, the combustion energy of the fire powder is transmitted to the valve 5, and the valve 5 is pressed toward the opening direction. Also, by the valve 5 moving at high speed toward the opening direction, the fitting of the valve main body 51 to the communication path 14 is released, as a result of which the valve 5 is instantaneously switched to the opened state, and the communication path 14 is opened.

[0099] Here, as a result of the valve 5 being pressed toward the opening direction, in the opened state, the rear end surface of the valve rod 52 abuts against the closed portion 12 of the container 1, thereby restricting the valve 5 from penetrating the communication path 14 toward the opening direction. At this time, the slit 522 is formed in the valve rod 52 so as to open at the rear end surface of the valve rod 52, and thus the opening of the pressure relief space S2 side of the communication path 14 is suppressed from being closed by the valve rod 52.

[0100] By opening the communication path 14 in the pressurized dissolving state, the sealing (airtight state) of the accommodation space S1 is released. In this way, the pressure in the accommodation space S1 is discharged to the pressure relief space S2 via the communication path 14. In more detail, a part of the pressurized gas-dissolved liquid L2 in the accommodation space S1 flows out to the pressure relief space S2 via the communication path 14. Note that even if the slit 522 is not formed in the valve rod 52, the pressure in the accommodation space S1 can be discharged to the pressure relief space S2. Also, the pressure is discharged to the outside air via the pressure relief hole 63 formed in the communication member 6. Thereby, the pressurized gas-dissolved liquid L2 in the accommodation space S1 is rapidly depressurized. By the pressurized gas-dissolved liquid L2 being rapidly depressurized, the gas G1 is precipitated in the liquid L1 in the form of ultrafine bubbles. As a result, the ultrafine bubble liquid L3 containing the ultrafine bubbles is generated in the accommodation space S1. As described above, the ultrafine bubbles are manufactured by the manufacturing device 100.

[0101] After the ultrafine bubbles are manufactured, for example, the container 1 and the pressure reduction portion 20 can be detached from the holder 8 in a state where the plunger 2 is inserted in the container 1, and then the plunger 2 is pulled out from the container 1, and the ultrafine bubble liquid L3 accommodated in the container 1 is recovered into a proper container.

[0102] [Action / Effect]

[0103] As described above, the manufacturing apparatus 100 of Embodiment 1 is provided with the container 1 in which the accommodation space S1 in which the liquid L1 and the gas G1 are accommodated is formed inside, the pressurizing section 10 that generates the pressurized gas-dissolved liquid L2 in which the gas G1 is pressurized and dissolved in the liquid L1 by compressing the accommodation space S1, the holding member 8 that holds the pressurized and dissolved state in which the gas G1 is pressurized and dissolved in the liquid L1, and the depressurizing section 20 that depressurizes the pressurized gas-dissolved liquid L2 by opening the communication path 14 that communicates the inside of the accommodation space S1 with the outside (in this case, the depressurizing space S2) in the pressurized and dissolved state, and generates the ultrafine bubbles.

[0104] That is, the manufacturing apparatus 100 of the present embodiment is provided with the pressurizing section 10 for forming the pressurized and dissolved state by pressurization and the depressurizing section 20 for depressurizing the pressurized gas-dissolved liquid L2, and the pressurized and dissolved state can be held by the holding member 8. According to such a manufacturing apparatus 100, the pressurized and dissolved state can be temporarily held by the holding member 8 before the pressurized gas-dissolved liquid L2 is depressurized by the depressurizing section 20 after the pressurized and dissolved state is formed by the pressurizing section 10. Therefore, the time for dispersing the gas G1 in the liquid L1 in a wide range in the pressurized and dissolved state can be ensured.

[0105] Generally, when the microfine bubbles are generated by the pressurized dissolution method, the pressurized and dissolved gas disperses in the liquid in a wider range, and thus the region in which the microfine bubbles can be generated is expanded in the subsequent depressurization process, and thus it is considered that the concentration of the microfine bubbles finally obtained is further increased.

[0106] On the contrary, the manufacturing apparatus 100 of the present embodiment can hold the pressurized and dissolved state by the holding member 8, and thus the pressurized gas-dissolved liquid L2 can be depressurized in a state in which the gas G1 disperses in the liquid L1 in a wide range compared to the case in which the pressurized gas-dissolved liquid L2 is depressurized immediately after the pressurized and dissolved state is formed, and the number of the generated ultrafine bubbles can be increased. As a result, according to the manufacturing apparatus 100 of the present embodiment, the ultrafine bubbles in the ultrafine bubble liquid L3 can be manufactured at a high concentration.

[0107] According to the manufacturing apparatus 100 of the present embodiment, the ultrafine bubbles of 100 billion / ml or more can be generated. Note that the number and the particle diameter of the ultrafine bubbles are measured and analyzed by NanoSight (Spectris Corporation). However, the number of the ultrafine bubbles described above is not limited to the technology of the present disclosure. Further, in the present embodiment, the ultrafine bubbles are generated in the accommodation space S1 in which the airtight state is achieved, and thus the generation of the ultrafine bubbles in a closed system such as a sterile environment is suitable, for example.

[0108] As described above, according to Embodiment 1, it is possible to improve the performance of the ultrafine bubble production device 100.

[0109] Further, the production device 100 of the present embodiment has the pressurizing portion 10 that forms the pressurized dissolved state by compressing the accommodation space S1 and the depressurizing portion 20 that depressurizes the pressurized gas dissolved liquid L2 by opening the communication path 14, in a form of separate components. Therefore, compared to the case where pressurization and depressurization are performed using a component in which a pressurizing unit and a depressurizing unit are integrated, it is possible to reduce the driving force required for pressurization and the driving force required for depressurization. Thereby, for example, it is easy to make the pressurizing portion 10 large, and it is possible to make the accommodation space S1 large in capacity in correspondence with the large size of the pressurizing portion 10. Further, it is possible to reduce the driving force required for pressurization and depressurization, and therefore, compared to the case where pressurization and depressurization are performed using a component in which the capacity of the accommodation space S1 is the same degree, it is possible to make the entire device small, and it is possible to achieve cost reduction.

[0110] Further, in the present embodiment, the pressurizing portion 10 has the plunger 2 that is inserted into the container 1 in a manner to form the accommodation space S1 between the container 1 and the plunger 2, and is slidable within the container 1 along the direction of insertion with respect to the container 1, and the accommodation space S1 is compressed by the relative movement of the plunger 2 with respect to the container 1 in the direction of insertion. Further, the retainer 8 restricts the relative movement of the plunger 2 with respect to the container 1 in the opposite direction of the direction of insertion in the pressurized dissolved state. Thereby, it is possible to maintain the pressurized dissolved state by the retainer 8.

[0111] Further, in the present embodiment, the pressurizing portion 10 has the actuating screw 4 that extends along the direction of insertion and has an outer thread groove 41a formed on the outer periphery, and the retainer 8 has a screw hole 821 into which the actuating screw 4 is inserted, and an inner thread groove 82a that is screwed with the outer thread groove 41a of the actuating screw 4 is formed in the screw hole 821. Further, the plunger 2 is relatively moved with respect to the container 1 in the direction of insertion by the screwing of the actuating screw 4 along the screw hole 821. Thereby, by the screwing of the outer thread groove 41a and the inner thread groove 82a, it is possible to restrict the relative movement of the plunger 2 with respect to the container 1 in the opposite direction of the direction of insertion without the rotation operation of the actuating screw 4. Further, the compression of the accommodation space S1 by the plunger 2 is performed in conjunction with the screwing of the actuating screw 4, and therefore, by performing the rotation operation in a manner that the actuating screw 4 is screwed at low speed, it is possible to slowly pressurize the liquid L1 and the gas G1 over time. Thereby, it is possible to disperse the gas G1 in the liquid L1 over a wide range in the pressurized dissolved state, and it is possible to produce ultrafine bubbles at a high concentration. Note that, in the technology of the present disclosure, the method of restricting the relative movement of the sliding portion with respect to the accommodation portion in the opposite direction of the direction of insertion is not limited to the method of using the screwing of the thread grooves with each other. The retaining portion of the present disclosure may, for example, also restrict the movement of the sliding portion by a latching mechanism.

[0112] Further, in the present embodiment, the pressure reducing section 20 has a valve 5 that can change a state from a closed state that closes the communication path 14 to an open state that opens the communication path 14, and a driving section 7 that imparts energy for changing the valve 5 from the closed state to the open state to the valve 5. That is, the manufacturing device 100 of the present embodiment opens the valve 5 in the pressurized dissolved state to open the communication path 14, and reduces the pressure of the pressurized gas dissolved liquid L2. The pressure reduction is performed by the opening of the valve 5, and thus the pressurized gas dissolved liquid L2 can be sharply reduced in pressure.

[0113] Further, in general, in the generation of fine bubbles using the pressurized dissolution method, the speed of the pressure reduction in the pressurized dissolved state also affects the concentration of the fine bubbles. If the speed of the pressure reduction is slow, the bubbles contact each other and coalesce during the process of the bubble separation, and large-sized bubbles are formed, as a result, the number of the ultra-fine bubbles generated can decrease.

[0114] On the contrary, the manufacturing device 100 of the present embodiment can suppress the bubbles from becoming large and increase the number of the ultra-fine bubbles generated by increasing the speed of the pressure reduction. As a result, according to the manufacturing device 100 of the present embodiment, the ultra-fine bubbles in the ultra-fine bubble liquid L3 can be manufactured at a high concentration.

[0115] Further, a large driving force is not required when the valve 5 is instantaneously switched to the open state, and thus the pressurized gas dissolved liquid L2 can be sharply reduced in pressure with a small driving force. Note that the pressure reducing section of the present disclosure can not be a structure in which the communication path is opened by a valve body. For example, the communication path that is formed in advance in the housing section can be opened and closed by a valve body, and the communication path can be formed in the open state in the housing section by the operation of the pressure reducing section.

[0116] Further, in the present embodiment, the valve 5 closes the communication path 14 by fitting in the communication path 14 in the closed state, and the driving section 7 changes the valve 5 from the closed state to the open state by pressing the valve 5 from the outside of the housing space S1 toward the inside. That is, the manufacturing device 100 of the present embodiment switches the valve 5 to the open state by releasing the fitting of the valve 5 to the communication path 14 by pressing the valve 5. Thereby, the valve 5 can be instantaneously switched to the open state. Note that the method of changing the valve body from the closed state to the open state in the technology of the present disclosure is not limited to the above-described method. For example, the valve body that is disposed so as to cover the opening of the communication path in the closed state can be rotated to change the valve body to the open state in which the communication path is opened.

[0117] Further, in the present embodiment, the driving section 7 has an igniter 72 that burns a priming powder by the supply of operating power, and imparts the energy of the combustion of the priming powder to the valve 5. Thereby, the combustion energy is used, and thus the valve 5 can be instantaneously switched to the open state.

[0118] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the connecting passage 14 is formed at the center of the closed portion 12 of the container 1. Therefore, when the connecting passage 14 is open, the pressure of the pressurized gas solution can be reduced over a wide range. As a result, ultrafine bubbles can be generated at high concentrations.

[0119] <Implementation Method 2>

[0120] The manufacturing apparatus 100A according to Embodiment 2 will be described below. In the description of Embodiment 2, it will be compared with... Figure 1 The description will focus on the different configurations of the manufacturing apparatus 100 as described in the previous section. For configurations that are the same as those of the manufacturing apparatus 100, the same reference numerals will be used as in the accompanying drawings, and detailed descriptions will be omitted.

[0121] Figure 9 This is a cross-sectional view of the manufacturing apparatus 100A in Embodiment 2, where valve 5 is in the closed state and the containment space S1 is in a gas-liquid separation state. Figure 10 This is a cross-sectional view of the manufacturing apparatus 100A in Embodiment 2, where the containment space S1 is in a pressurized dissolution state and the valve 5 is in the open state. Figure 9 and Figure 10 and Figure 3 The sectional view corresponds to the diagram, which shows a cross-section along the front-rear direction of the manufacturing apparatus 100A. For example... Figure 9 and Figure 10 As shown, the manufacturing apparatus 100A of Embodiment 2 differs from the manufacturing apparatus 100 of Embodiment 1 in that the drive unit 7A has a compression spring 76 (an example of an "elastic body" in this disclosure) instead of an igniter 72. The container 1, pressurizing unit 10, valve 5, connecting member 6, and retaining member 8 of Embodiment 2 are the same as those of Embodiment 1, and therefore descriptions are omitted.

[0122] The drive unit 7A in embodiment 2 includes a housing 71, a cover member 75, a compression spring 76, and a piston 77. The drive unit 7A imparts elastic energy to the valve 5, which is transmitted through the compression spring 76. Figure 9 The compressed state shown has been restored to a state greater than Figure 10 The compressed state is extended and then released.

[0123] The cover member 75 closes the front end of the housing 71 by connecting to the front end of the housing 71. In addition, the cover member 75 has a cylindrical elastomeric support 751 that protrudes rearward in the interior space of the housing 71.

[0124] The compression spring 76, a so-called compression helical spring, serves as the drive source for the drive unit 7A, generating energy to switch the valve 5 from a closed state to an open state. The compression spring 76 is mounted on the elastic support portion 751 of the cover member 75 such that its extension / retraction direction aligns with the opening direction of the valve 5. The compression spring 76 can be operated, for example, by an operation provided in the operating portion (not shown) of the housing 71. Figure 9 The diagram shows the switching between fixing and releasing the compression state in the front-to-back direction. By releasing the compression state, the compression spring 76 extends due to its restoring force, becoming... Figure 10 The elongated state shown.

[0125] The piston 77 is a bottomed cylindrical component extending in the front-to-back direction, open at the front end and closed at the rear end, and is mounted on the rear end of the compression spring 76 (the end on the opening side of the valve 5). The piston 77 can slide on the inner circumferential surface of the housing 71 while moving in the opening direction, transferring the elastic energy released by the compression spring 76 as it recovers from a compressed state to an extended state to the valve 5. The piston 77 can be made of, for example, stainless steel, steel, or other metallic materials. However, the material of the piston 77 is not particularly limited.

[0126] The operation of the manufacturing apparatus 100A will now be described. It should be noted that the pressurization process for forming a pressurized melt state is the same as that of the manufacturing apparatus 100 in Embodiment 1, and therefore will be omitted from the description. The depressurization process will be described here.

[0127] By releasing the compression state of the compression spring 76 under pressure and dissolution conditions, such as... Figure 10 As shown, the compression spring 76 returns to its extended state. It should be noted that the compression spring 76 only needs to be longer than its compressed state in the extended state, but it doesn't necessarily need to be longer than its natural length. Through the elastic energy released by the compression spring 76 as it returns from its compressed state to its extended state, the piston 77 slides on the inner circumferential surface of the housing 71 while moving at high speed towards the opening direction (rear side) of the valve 5. Furthermore, through the collision between the piston 77 and the valve stem 52 of the valve 5, the elastic energy of the compression spring 76 is transferred to the valve 5, and the valve 5 is pressed towards the opening direction. Furthermore, through the high-speed movement of the valve 5 towards the opening direction, the engagement between the valve body 51 and the connecting passage 14 is released, resulting in the valve 5 instantly switching to the open state, and the connecting passage 14 opening. As a result, the pressurized gas solution L2 in the containing space S1 is rapidly depressurized, generating an ultrafine bubble liquid L3 containing ultrafine bubbles within the containing space S1. As described above, ultrafine bubbles are manufactured using the manufacturing apparatus 100A.

[0128] As described above, in the manufacturing apparatus 100A of Embodiment 2, the drive section 7A has a compression spring 76 that imparts an elastic energy to the valve 5 by recovering from a compressed state to an elongated state that is longer than the compressed state. Thereby, the elastic energy is used, so it is possible to instantaneously switch the valve 5 to the open state. As a result, it is possible to drastically decompress the pressurized gas dissolved liquid L2.

[0129] As another method, it is also possible to configure the drive section that is separate from the manufacturing apparatus to be detachable with respect to the manufacturing apparatus. The drive section may, for example, have a compression spring that is arranged in parallel with the manufacturing apparatus and recovers to the elongated state by a trigger operation, and a hammer that rotates to thereby strike the valve stem 52 by receiving the elastic energy of the compression spring.

[0130] The above describes the embodiment of the manufacturing apparatus of the ultrafine bubbles according to the present disclosure, but the various aspects disclosed in the present specification can also be combined with any other feature disclosed in the present specification.

[0131] Explanation of Reference Signs

[0132] 1: Container (one example of "accommodation section");

[0133] 2: Plunger (one example of "sliding section");

[0134] 4: Actuating screw (one example of "screw shaft section");

[0135] 5: Valve (one example of "valve body");

[0136] 7, 7A: Drive section;

[0137] 8: Holder (one example of "holding section");

[0138] 10: Pressurizing section;

[0139] 20: Decompressing section;

[0140] 100, 100A: Manufacturing apparatus of ultrafine bubbles.

Claims

1. An apparatus for manufacturing ultrafine bubbles, the apparatus comprising: The containment section has an internal space for containing liquids and gases; The pressurizing section compresses the containing space to generate a pressurized gas solution containing the gas dissolved in the liquid. The holding section maintains the pressurized dissolved state in the liquid in which the gas is dissolved under pressure. and The decompression unit opens the communication path between the interior and exterior of the containment space during the pressurized dissolution state, thereby decompressing the pressurized gas solution and generating ultrafine bubbles.

2. The apparatus for manufacturing ultrafine bubbles according to claim 1, wherein, The pressurizing part includes a sliding part that is inserted into the receiving part in such a way as to form the receiving space between itself and the receiving part, and is capable of sliding within the receiving part along an insertion direction relative to the receiving part. The receiving space is compressed by the relative movement of the sliding part relative to the receiving part in the insertion direction. The retaining part restricts the sliding part from moving relative to the receiving part in the opposite direction of the insertion direction under the pressurized dissolution state.

3. The apparatus for manufacturing ultrafine bubbles according to claim 2, wherein, The pressurizing part has: a threaded shaft portion extending along the insertion direction, and having an external threaded groove formed on its outer periphery. The retaining portion has: a threaded hole for inserting the threaded shaft portion, and an internal threaded groove that engages with the external threaded groove of the threaded shaft portion. As the threaded shaft portion is screwed into the threaded hole portion, the sliding portion moves relative to the receiving portion in the insertion direction.

4. The apparatus for manufacturing ultrafine bubbles according to claim 1 or 2, wherein, The pressure reducing unit includes: a valve body capable of changing the state from a closed state that closes the connecting passage to an open state that opens the connecting passage; and a drive unit that imparts energy to the valve body for changing the valve body from the closed state to the open state.

5. The apparatus for manufacturing ultrafine bubbles according to claim 4, wherein, The valve body closes the communication path by engaging with it in the closed state. The drive unit presses the valve body from the outside to the inside of the receiving space, causing the valve body to change from the closed state to the open state.

6. The apparatus for manufacturing ultrafine bubbles according to claim 4, wherein, The drive unit has an igniter that ignites the igniter by supplying working power, and imparts the combustion energy of the igniter to the valve body.

7. The apparatus for manufacturing ultrafine bubbles according to claim 4, wherein, The drive unit has an elastomer that imparts elastic energy to the valve body by restoring it from a compressed state to an elongated state that is longer than the compressed state.

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