A foam shield device

Abstract

The foam shield device provided by this utility model has a simple structure, including a liquid storage device, a liquid extraction device, a pressure source, a confluence node, and a foaming device. The confluence node is connected to a water source through an inlet, and the pressure source connects the confluence node and the foaming device. The liquid extraction device has an inlet and an outlet. The inlet is connected to the liquid storage device, and the extraction device draws or squeezes the solution from the storage device out of the outlet. The solution drawn or squeezed out from the outlet merges with the water from the inlet at the confluence node. Compared with foam shield devices on the market, by setting a pressure source between the confluence node and the foaming device, the foaming agent in the confluence node is removed, avoiding the growth of microorganisms caused by a large amount of water stored in the confluence node after the foam shield is completed. At the same time, it also avoids the presence of residual foaming agent in the confluence node, which would accelerate the growth of microorganisms and cause microbial metabolites to clog the foaming net.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This utility model relates to the field of sanitary ware, specifically to a foam shield device. Background Technology

[0002] Bathroom fixtures with a foam shield function are typically equipped with a liquid storage device, a mixing device, a liquid extraction device, and a foam dispensing device. For example, a smart toilet with a foam shield function uses a liquid extraction device to draw out the foaming agent (concentrated solution) from the liquid storage device and send it to the mixing device. The mixing device mixes and dilutes the foaming agent with water, and the mixture enters the foam dispensing device to generate foam. The foam flows onto the water surface and forms a foam shield, which can suppress splashing. At the same time, the foam also has the function of sterilization and deodorization.

[0003] The foam shield devices on the market have a relatively complex structure, using different pumps to extract foaming agent and water. After the foaming agent and water are mixed in the mixing device, they flow directly to the foaming device. When the foam shield function ends, there is a large amount of water in the mixing device, which causes microbial growth. Utility Model Content

[0004] The technical problem to be solved by this invention is: how to improve the mixing device to prevent the growth of microorganisms caused by a large amount of water inside.

[0005] To solve this technical problem, the inventors of this utility model have optimized the design of the pipeline of the foam shield device.

[0006] The foam shield device provided by this utility model includes a liquid storage device, a liquid extraction device, a pressure source, a confluence node, and a foaming device. The confluence node is connected to a water source through an inlet, and the pressure source connects the confluence node and the foaming device. The liquid extraction device has an inlet and an outlet. The inlet is connected to the liquid storage device, and the liquid extraction device extracts or squeezes the solution in the liquid storage device from the outlet. The solution extracted or squeezed from the outlet merges with the water in the inlet at the confluence node.

[0007] In one embodiment of this utility model, the liquid extraction device has a pressure chamber, a partition, and an extraction chamber. The partition separates the pressure chamber and the extraction chamber. The extraction chamber connects the liquid storage device and the manifold. The pressure source connects the manifold and the pressure chamber. When the pressure in the pressure chamber increases, it squeezes the partition, causing the pressure in the extraction chamber to increase. The foaming agent in the extraction chamber flows into the manifold from the outlet. When the liquid in the manifold flows into the pressure chamber after being pressurized by the pressure source, it increases the pressure in the pressure chamber.

[0008] In one embodiment of this utility model, the extraction chamber is connected to the manifold node through a first one-way valve at the liquid outlet and to the storage device through a second one-way valve at the liquid inlet. When the pressure in the pressure chamber increases, the squeezing disconnect causes the pressure in the extraction chamber to increase, forming a positive pressure, which opens the first one-way valve, allowing the foaming agent in the extraction chamber to flow into the manifold node. When the pressure in the pressure chamber decreases or disappears, the pressure in the extraction chamber decreases, forming a negative pressure, which opens the second one-way valve, allowing the storage device to replenish the foaming agent to the extraction chamber.

[0009] In one embodiment of this utility model, the first one-way valve includes a first elastic element, and the second one-way valve includes a second elastic element, wherein the elastic force of the first elastic element is greater than the elastic force of the second elastic element.

[0010] In one embodiment of this utility model, a third one-way valve is provided between the water source and the confluence node to prevent liquid from flowing back from the confluence node to the water source. The third one-way valve includes a third elastic element, and the elastic force of the first elastic element is greater than the elastic force of the third elastic element.

[0011] In one embodiment of this utility model, the pressure chamber has a pressure inlet, which is connected to the junction node through the pressure source, thereby increasing the pressure in the pressure chamber.

[0012] In one embodiment of this utility model, the partition is a deformable diaphragm, and an elastic element is provided in the liquid extraction chamber. When the pressure in the pressure chamber decreases, the elastic element pushes against the partition, causing the partition to return to its original state. A limiting element is also provided in the liquid extraction chamber. When the pressure in the pressure chamber decreases, the elastic element pushes against the partition through the limiting element. There is a limiting surface in the liquid extraction chamber. When the pressure in the pressure chamber increases, the stroke of the limiting element is limited by the limiting surface to restrict the deformation of the partition.

[0013] In one embodiment of this utility model, the liquid storage device has a liquid storage chamber in which foaming agent is stored; the liquid storage chamber is connected to the outside atmosphere through an air inlet pipe.

[0014] In one embodiment of this utility model, a confluence channel is provided between the confluence node and the bubble outlet device, and the transverse cross-sectional area of ​​the confluence channel is less than 300 mm².

[0015] In one embodiment of this utility model, when the pressure source is turned on, the pressure source can pump water from the water source to the confluence node, and then pump the liquid from the confluence node to the bubble outlet device. The pressure source is a pump.

[0016] The technical effects of the foam shield device in this embodiment of the utility model are as follows:

[0017] 1. Compared to foam shield devices on the market, this device uses a pressure source between the confluence node and the foaming device to remove the foaming agent from the confluence node. This prevents the growth of microorganisms caused by a large amount of water in the confluence node after the foam shield is finished. It also prevents the presence of residual foaming agent in the confluence node, which would accelerate the growth of microorganisms and cause them to produce metabolites that clog the foaming net.

[0018] 2. This utility model uses a pressure source to transport the liquid in the manifold to the pressure chamber as the driving force for the isolation, which in turn drives the foaming agent in the pumping device to be transported to the manifold, resulting in a simpler structure.

[0019] 3. This utility model sets a first one-way valve between the liquid extraction chamber and the manifold node, and sets a second one-way valve between the liquid extraction chamber and the liquid storage device. Through the cooperation between the pressure source, the first one-way valve and the second one-way valve, the liquid extraction chamber has a pressure difference change, thereby realizing the extraction of foaming agent into the liquid extraction chamber, and also enabling the delivery of foaming agent in the liquid extraction chamber to the manifold node. The structure is simple, the function is reliable, and the manufacturing cost is low.

[0020] 4. By providing a confluence channel between the confluence node and the bubble outlet, the transverse cross-sectional area of ​​the confluence channel is less than 300 mm², so as to reduce the liquid remaining in the confluence channel and avoid the growth of microorganisms. Attached Figure Description

[0021] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of a foam shield device according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0022] Figure 2 for Figure 1 A cross-sectional view of the first stage of the foam shield device shown.

[0023] Figure 3 for Figure 2 A magnified view of a portion of the image;

[0024] Figure 4 for Figure 1 A cross-sectional view of the second stage of the foam shield device shown;

[0025] Figure 5 for Figure 4 A magnified view of a portion of the image;

[0026] Figure 6 for Figure 1 A cross-sectional view of the third stage of the foam shield device shown.

[0027] Figure 7 for Figure 6 A magnified view of a portion of the image. Detailed Implementation

[0028] The following detailed description of one embodiment of the present invention is provided in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. Those skilled in the art can implement the present invention based on this description, and can also make some modifications accordingly.

[0029] See Figure 1 , Figure 2 The foam shield device includes a liquid storage device 1, a liquid extraction device 2, a manifold 3, a foaming device 4, and a pressure source 5. The liquid storage device 1 has a storage chamber containing foaming agent A. The liquid extraction device 2 has an inlet and an outlet; the inlet connects to the storage chamber and extracts foaming agent A from it. The storage chamber is connected to the outside atmosphere via an air inlet pipe 11 to maintain pressure balance between the storage chamber and the atmosphere. The pressure source 5 is connected to both the manifold 3 and the foaming device 4, drawing liquid from the manifold 3 to the foaming device 4.

[0030] See Figure 3 The manifold node 3 has a manifold cavity 31, which is connected to a water source via an inlet 32. The manifold cavity 31 is also connected to a storage chamber, where foaming agent A and water B converge. A third one-way valve 35 is provided between the inlet 32 ​​and the manifold cavity 31 to prevent liquid from flowing back from the manifold cavity 31 to the inlet 32. See also... Figure 1 The toilet tank's water storage chamber serves as the water source, storing water B. Water B flows sequentially through the inlet 32 ​​and the third one-way valve 35 into the manifold 31, where it merges with the foaming agent. It should be noted that the third one-way valve 35 can be positioned anywhere between the water source and the manifold 31.

[0031] See Figure 3 The liquid extraction device 2 has a pressure chamber 21, a partition 23, and an extraction chamber 22. The extraction chamber 22 has an inlet and an outlet. The partition 23 separates the pressure chamber 21 and the extraction chamber 22. The extraction chamber 22 connects the storage chamber and the manifold 31. The pressure source 5 connects the manifold 31 and the pressure chamber 21. When the liquid in the manifold 31 is pressurized by the pressure source 5 and flows into the pressure chamber 21, the pressure in the pressure chamber 21 increases. When the pressure in the pressure chamber 21 increases, it squeezes the partition 23, which increases the pressure in the extraction chamber 22. The foaming agent in the extraction chamber 22 flows into the manifold 31. Specifically, the pressure source 5 is a pump.

[0032] See Figure 3The extraction chamber 22 is connected to the manifold 31 via a first check valve 34 at the outlet and to the storage chamber via a second check valve 24 at the inlet. When the pressure in the pressure chamber 21 increases, the pressure of the squeeze barrier 23 increases the pressure in the extraction chamber 22, creating a positive pressure that opens the first check valve 34, allowing the foaming agent in the extraction chamber 22 to flow into the manifold 31. When the pressure in the pressure chamber 21 decreases or disappears, the pressure in the extraction chamber 22 decreases, creating a negative pressure that opens the second check valve 24, allowing the storage chamber to replenish the foaming agent to the extraction chamber 22. The pressure chamber 21 has a pressure inlet 25, which connects to the manifold 31. When liquid from the manifold outlet 33 is pressurized by a pressure source and flows into the pressure chamber 21 through the pressure inlet 25, the pressure in the pressure chamber 21 increases.

[0033] The first check valve 34 includes a first elastic element, and the second check valve 24 includes a second elastic element, wherein the elastic force of the first elastic element is greater than the elastic force of the second elastic element. The third check valve 35 includes a third elastic element, wherein the elastic force of the first elastic element is greater than the elastic force of the third elastic element.

[0034] The foam shield device has a liquid outlet 6 and a pressure chamber 21 with a pressure outlet 29. Liquid in the pressure chamber 21 flows out of the pressure chamber 21 through the pressure outlet 29. The pressure outlet 29 and the manifold outlet 33 are respectively connected to the liquid outlet 6, and the liquid outlet 6 is connected to the foaming device 4. Alternatively, the pressure outlet 29 can be omitted. When the pressure source 5 is activated, the pressure increases, and the liquid in the manifold outlet 33 enters the pressure chamber 21 through the pressure inlet 25. When the pressure source 5 is turned off, the pressure decreases or disappears, and the liquid in the pressure chamber 21 flows out of the pressure inlet 25 to the liquid outlet 6.

[0035] The partition 23 is a deformable diaphragm. The extraction chamber 22 contains an elastic element 26 and a limiting element 27. When the pressure in the pressure chamber 21 decreases, the elastic element 26 pushes against the partition 23 through the limiting element 27, causing the partition 23 to return to its original position. The extraction chamber 22 contains a limiting surface 28. When the pressure in the pressure chamber 21 increases, the stroke of the limiting element 27 is restricted by the limiting surface 28, thus limiting the deformation of the partition 23 and achieving quantitative control of the extrusion amount of the foaming agent.

[0036] In this embodiment, a manifold channel P is provided between the manifold node 3 and the bubble outlet device 4, and the lateral cross-sectional area of ​​the manifold channel P is less than 300 mm². Specifically, the manifold channel P connecting the manifold cavity 31 and the pressure source 5, and the manifold channel P connecting the pressure source 5 and the bubble outlet device 4, both have a lateral cross-sectional area of ​​less than 300 mm², in order to reduce the liquid remaining in the manifold channel P and avoid the growth of microorganisms.

[0037] The following is combined with Figures 2 to 7 The working process of this foam shield device is explained.

[0038] After the foam shield device is activated, it will go through the following steps: Figure 2 The first stage shown Figure 4 The second stage shown and Figure 6 The third stage is shown.

[0039] See Figure 2 and 3 In the first stage, pressure source 5 is activated, and water B flows from the water storage chamber of the toilet tank into the manifold 31 through inlet 32 ​​and the third check valve 35. At this time, the first check valve 34 and the second check valve 24 are closed. After water B flows out of manifold 31 from outlet 33, it flows into pressure source 5 from inlet 51. After being pressurized by pressure source 5, water B flows out of pressure source 5 from outlet 52.

[0040] See Figure 4 and 5 In the second stage, as water B flows from outlet 52 to outlet 6, due to the pressure difference, some water B flows from pressure inlet 25 into pressure chamber 21, causing pressure chamber 21 to increase in volume, partition 23 to deform, and limiting member 27 to move away from pressure inlet 25, compressing elastic member 26 until limiting member 27 abuts against limiting surface 28. During the movement of the limiting member 27, the volume of the suction chamber 22 decreases, causing the pressure in the suction chamber 22 to increase and form positive pressure. The first one-way valve 34 opens under pressure, and the foaming agent A in the suction chamber 22 flows into the manifold 31 through the first one-way valve 34, mixing with the water B in the manifold 31 to form diluent C. Diluent C flows out of the manifold 31 from the outlet 33 and enters the inlet 51 of the pressure source 5. After being pressurized by the pressure source 5, it flows from the outlet 52 of the pressure source 5 to the pressure inlet 25, and then flows into the pressure chamber 21. At the same time, it also flows from the outlet 52 of the pressure source 5 to the outlet 6. Part of the diluent C that flows into the pressure chamber 21 flows to the outlet 6 through the pressure outlet 29. The diluent C flows from the outlet 6 to the foaming device 4, which foams the diluent C into foam D. Foam D flows to the toilet water surface to form a foam shield.

[0041] See Figure 6 and 7 In the third stage, after the limiting member 27 abuts against the limiting surface 28, the pressure in the pressure chamber 21 decreases or disappears, and the squeezing pressure on the extraction chamber 22 decreases or disappears, causing the first one-way valve 34 to close. Afterwards, the pressure source 5 is shut off. Because the pressure in the pressure chamber 21 decreases or disappears, the restoring force of the elastic member 26 takes effect, pushing the limiting member 27 to move closer to the pressure inlet 25 to reset, causing the diaphragm 23 to return to its original position. The volume of the pressure chamber 21 decreases, creating a negative pressure, while the volume of the extraction chamber 22 increases. A pressure difference is generated between the extraction chamber 22 and the storage chamber, causing the second one-way valve 24 to open, and foaming agent A is replenished from the storage chamber into the extraction chamber 22. After the diaphragm 23 fully recovers, the pressure difference disappears, and the second one-way valve 24 closes.

[0042] Since the first check valve 34 is closed before the pressure source 5 is shut off, the pumping chamber 22 no longer releases foaming agent into the manifold 31. This allows the water B flowing in from the inlet 32 ​​to carry away the residual foaming agent in the manifold 31 during the period from when the first check valve 34 is closed to when the pressure source 5 is shut off, thus avoiding the problem of increased microorganisms in the manifold 31 due to residual foaming agent.

Claims

1. A foam shield device, characterized by: The device comprises a liquid storage device, a liquid pumping device, a pressure source, a converging node and a foam outlet device. The converging node is connected to a water source through a water inlet. The pressure source is connected to the converging node and the foam outlet device. The liquid pumping device has a liquid inlet and a liquid outlet. The liquid inlet is connected to the liquid storage device. The liquid pumping device pumps out or squeezes out the solution in the liquid storage device from the liquid outlet. The solution pumped out or squeezed out from the liquid outlet and the water from the water inlet converge in the converging node.

2. The foam shield device of claim 1, wherein: The liquid pumping device has a pressure chamber, a partition and a liquid pumping chamber. The partition separates the pressure chamber and the liquid pumping chamber. The liquid pumping chamber is connected to the liquid storage device and the converging node. The pressure source is connected to the converging node and the pressure chamber. When the pressure in the pressure chamber increases, the partition is squeezed to increase the pressure in the liquid pumping chamber. The foam agent in the liquid pumping chamber flows into the converging node from the liquid outlet. When the liquid in the converging node is pressurized by the pressure source, the pressure in the pressure chamber increases when the liquid flows into the pressure chamber.

3. The foam shield device of claim 2, wherein: The liquid pumping chamber is connected to the converging node through a first one-way valve at the liquid outlet and connected to the liquid storage device through a second one-way valve at the liquid inlet. When the pressure in the pressure chamber increases, the partition is squeezed to increase the pressure in the liquid pumping chamber to form a positive pressure, which opens the first one-way valve. The foam agent in the liquid pumping chamber flows into the converging node. When the pressure in the pressure chamber decreases or disappears, the pressure in the liquid pumping chamber decreases to form a negative pressure, which opens the second one-way valve. The liquid storage device supplies the foam agent to the liquid pumping chamber.

4. The foam shield device of claim 3, wherein: The first one-way valve comprises a first elastic member. The second one-way valve comprises a second elastic member. The elastic force of the first elastic member is greater than that of the second elastic member.

5. The foam shield device of claim 4, wherein: A third one-way valve is arranged between the water source and the converging node to prevent the liquid from flowing back from the converging node to the water source. The third one-way valve comprises a third elastic member. The elastic force of the first elastic member is greater than that of the third elastic member.

6. The foam shield device of claim 2, wherein: The pressure chamber has a pressure inlet. The pressure inlet is connected to the converging node through the pressure source. The pressure in the pressure chamber increases through the pressure source.

7. The foam shield device of claim 2, wherein: The partition is a deformable diaphragm. An elastic member is arranged in the liquid pumping chamber. When the pressure in the pressure chamber decreases, the elastic member pushes the partition to restore it. A limiting member is also arranged in the liquid pumping chamber. When the pressure in the pressure chamber decreases, the elastic member pushes the partition through the limiting member. The liquid pumping chamber has a limiting surface. When the pressure in the pressure chamber increases, the stroke of the limiting member is limited by the limiting surface to limit the deformation of the partition.

8. The foam shield device of claim 2, wherein: The liquid storage device has a liquid storage chamber. The liquid storage chamber stores the foam agent. The liquid storage chamber is connected to the outside atmosphere through an air inlet pipe.

9. The foam shield device of claim 1, wherein: A converging channel is arranged between the converging node and the foam outlet device. The cross-sectional area of the converging channel is less than 300 mm².

10. The foam shield device of claim 1, wherein: When the pressure source is turned on, the pressure source can pump the water from the water source to the converging node, and then pump the liquid in the converging node to the foam outlet device. The pressure source is a pump.

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