High-pressure washer

Abstract

To provide a high-pressure washer that can generate water containing fine bubbles according to an overall compact constitution and in short time.SOLUTION: A high-pressure washer 1 turns water supplied from a water supply port 100 into high-pressure water and jets the high-pressure water from a washing gun 50. The high-pressure washer 1 comprises: a tank 31 for storing water; a high-pressure water supply part 40 for pumping water in the tank 31 by using a high-pressure pump 41; a washing gun 50 for jetting the high-pressure water pumped from the high-pressure water supply part 40; and a fine bubble generation part 12 which is provided at least at any place in between a connection end part 2 and the washing gun 50, in order to generate water containing fine bubbles by circulating water.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a high-pressure washer that sprays water containing fine bubbles at high pressure. [Background technology]

[0002] Conventionally, as described in Patent Document 1, a hot water washer is known that includes an electric water heater that heats and keeps water warm, a cleaning gun that sprays hot water from the electric water heater at high pressure, a pump that drives the supply of high-pressure water to the cleaning gun, and a flow and tank provided on the inlet side of the pump.

[0003] On the other hand, as described in Patent Document 2, a device is known in which a plurality of nozzles in a fine bubble generating section are replaceable, and which generates liquid containing fine bubbles of a predetermined particle size according to the specifications of the nozzles. The fine bubble liquid is stored in a storage tank, and is supplied to a product storage tank by a pump, and is shipped as a product after an inspection process and a container sealing process. Also, as described in Patent Document 3, a fine bubble generating device is known in which a liquid discharge hole is provided in an end wall member of a cylindrical member, and a plurality of annular grooves are formed on the inner peripheral surface of the cylindrical member that has been mirror-finished. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 9-123879 [Patent Document 2] International Publication No. 2019 / 234962 [Patent Document 3] JP 2008-272739 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] In order to spray water containing fine bubbles in a high-pressure washer, it is necessary to combine a high-pressure washer such as that in the above-mentioned Patent Document 1 with a fine-bubble generating device such as that in the above-mentioned Patent Documents 2 and 3. Therefore, a system is conceivable in which water containing fine bubbles is generated and stored in a fine-bubble generating device, and the stored water containing fine bubbles is used as raw water in a high-pressure washer. However, if separate devices are simply combined in this way, it takes time to generate water containing fine bubbles, and the entire system tends to become large in size.

[0006] An object of the present invention is to provide a high-pressure washer that has a compact overall configuration and is capable of generating water containing fine bubbles in a short period of time. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] [1] One aspect of the present invention is a high-pressure washer (1) having a connection end (2) connected to a water supply inlet (100) and converting water supplied from the water supply inlet (100) into high-pressure water and spraying it from a cleaning gun (50), the high-pressure washer comprising: a tank (31) for storing water; a high-pressure water supply unit (40) for pressurizing the water in the tank (31) using a high-pressure pump (41); the cleaning gun (50) for spraying the high-pressure water pressurized from the high-pressure water supply unit (40); and a fine-bubble generating unit (12) provided at least somewhere between the connection end (2) and the cleaning gun (50) for generating water containing fine bubbles by circulating the water.

[0008] The high-pressure washer (1) of [1] is used by connecting the connection end (2) to the water supply port (100). The fine bubble generating unit (12) is provided at least somewhere between the connection end (2) and the cleaning gun (50). The cleaning gun (50) sprays high-pressure fine bubble-containing water pressure-fed from the high-pressure water supply unit (40). According to this high-pressure washer (1), the line from the connection end (2) including the fine bubble generating unit (12) to the cleaning gun (50) is configured in one pass, so that fine bubble-containing water can be generated in a short time. Since the fine bubble generating unit (12) is built in, there is no need to provide a separate fine bubble generating device. Therefore, the high-pressure washer (1) has a compact configuration as a whole.

[0009] [2] In the high-pressure washer (1) described above in [1], the fine-bubble generating unit (12) may be provided in a low water pressure region (R) where the water pressure is lower than the water pressure supplied from the water supply port (100). With this configuration, high water pressure is not applied to the fine-bubble generating unit (12), so that wear and deformation of the internal structure of the fine-bubble generating unit (12) is reduced. The durability of the fine-bubble generating unit (12) can be improved.

[0010] [3] In the high-pressure washer (1) described in [2] above, a pressure regulating valve (V1) may be provided between the water supply port (100) and the fine-bubble generating unit (12). This configuration not only provides the above-described protective effect for the fine-bubble generating unit (12), but also ensures that water at a constant pressure flows into the fine-bubble generating unit (12) even if there are fluctuations or variations in the water supply pressure of the water received from the water supply port (100). This allows for stable generation of water containing fine bubbles.

[0011] [4] In any one of the high-pressure cleaners (1) described above in [1] to [3], the tank (31) may be provided with a water level sensor (33), and the high-pressure cleaner (1) may further include an automatic valve (V3) that is provided in an inlet line (L2) that introduces water into the tank (31) and opens and closes based on the water level detected by the water level sensor (33) to switch between introducing and stopping water. In this case, the flow rate and pressure of the water passing through the fine-bubble generating unit (12) are constant or close to constant. Thus, the number of generated fine bubbles is maintained as specified in the specifications. Effect of the Invention

[0012] According to the present invention, water containing fine bubbles can be produced in a short time, and the high-pressure washer (1) has a compact overall configuration. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0013] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing the overall configuration of a high-pressure cleaner (1) according to one embodiment of the present invention. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing the low water pressure region (R) of the high pressure washer (1) of FIG. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0014] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. In the description of the drawings, the same elements are given the same reference numerals, and duplicated description will be omitted.

[0015] As shown in Fig. 1, the high-pressure washer 1 of this embodiment is used by being connected to a water supply port 100. The high-pressure washer 1 has a connection end 2 connected to the water supply port 100. The high-pressure washer 1 generates fine-bubble-containing water by passing water supplied from the water supply port 100 through a fine-bubble generating engine 10, and sprays the high-pressure fine-bubble-containing water from a cleaning gun 50. The high-pressure washer 1 includes the fine-bubble generating engine 10, a heating section 20 that heats (or warms) the fine-bubble-containing water, a storage section 30 that stores the fine-bubble-containing water, a high-pressure water supply section 40 that pumps the fine-bubble-containing water by a high-pressure pump 41, and a cleaning gun 50 that sprays the high-pressure fine-bubble-containing water. The high-pressure washer 1 is a washer that sprays water containing fine bubbles, which is warm water at about 60° C. The high-pressure washer 1 is used to wash all kinds of objects, but when spraying warm water, it is excellent at removing dirt, salt, and the like that adheres to vehicles, etc.

[0016] In the high pressure washer 1, the inlet 13 of the fine bubble generating engine 10 or the end of the pipe connected to the inlet 13 becomes the connection end 2 and is connected to an appropriate water supply port 100. The fine bubble generating engine 10 and the heating unit 20 are connected by a first line L1. The upstream end L1a of the first line L1 is connected to the outlet 14 of the fine bubble generating engine 10. The downstream end L1b of the first line L1 is connected to the boiler 21 of the heating unit 20. The heating unit 20 and the storage unit 30 are connected by a second line (introduction line) L2. The upstream end L2a of the second line L2 is connected to the boiler 21. The downstream end L2b of the second line L2 is connected to a water inlet 31a provided in the tank 31 of the storage unit 30. The storage unit 30 and the cleaning gun 50 are connected by a third line L3. The upstream end L3a of the third line L3 is connected to the bottom of the tank 31 via a strainer 36. A downstream end L3b of the third line L3 is connected to the cleaning gun 50. A downstream portion of the third line L3 including the downstream end L3b (a portion beyond the hose connection port 43) forms a high-pressure hose 45.

[0017] In this specification, the term "line" refers to a tubular body such as a pipe or a hose that circulates a fluid (mainly water (including the concept of hot water) in this embodiment). The material constituting each line (including various piping materials such as joints) is appropriately selected depending on the pressure and temperature of the target fluid.

[0018] The fine bubble generating engine 10 may include, for example, a housing (not shown). The fine bubble generating engine 10 has a pressure regulating valve V1 and a fine bubble generating unit 12 provided downstream of the pressure regulating valve V1. In other words, the pressure regulating valve V1 is provided between the water supply port 100 and the fine bubble generating unit 12. The pressure regulating valve V1 and the fine bubble generating unit 12 are connected and arranged in series between the inlet 13 and the outlet 14. The pressure regulating valve V1 reduces the pressure of the water received from the water supply port 100 to a constant pressure. The water supply pressure at the water supply port 100 is, for example, about 0.1 MPa to 0.75 MPa, but the pressure downstream of the pressure regulating valve V1 (water after passing through the pressure regulating valve V1) is adjusted to about 0.1 MPa to 0.4 MPa.

[0019] The fine bubble generating unit 12 generates fine bubble-containing water that contains fine bubbles by causing water to flow through the interior of the fine bubble generating unit 12. The fine bubble generating unit 12 includes, for example, an orifice portion and generates fine bubbles by cavitation effect when water flows through the fine bubble generating unit 12. The fine bubbles generated in the fine bubble generating unit 12 are, for example, ultra-fine bubbles (hereinafter, referred to as UFB) having a diameter of less than 1 μm. The fine bubbles generated in the fine bubble generating unit 12 may be, for example, microbubbles having a diameter of 1 μm or more and less than 100 μm. A known UFB generator or the like is adopted as the fine bubble generating unit 12. The fine bubble generating engine 10 can also be called a UFB generating engine.

[0020] The pressure regulating valve V1 and the fine bubble generating unit 12 may be installed in a housing of the fine bubble generating engine 10, or may be installed in a large housing (not shown) that houses most of the components and parts of the high-pressure cleaner 1. In other words, the housing of the fine bubble generating engine 10 may be omitted.

[0021] The first line L1 is provided with a pressure reducing valve V2 and a ball valve 24 disposed downstream of the pressure reducing valve V2. The pressure reducing valve V2 further reduces the pressure of the micro-bubble-containing water to prevent excessive pressure from being applied to the boiler 21. In this way, the pressure reducing valve V2 protects the boiler 21. A feedwater drain is provided upstream of the pressure reducing valve V2 so as to branch off from the second line L2, and water can be discharged by opening the ball valve 19.

[0022] The heating unit 20 has a boiler 21 having a known configuration. The boiler 21 has a sealed structure and heats (or warms) the fine bubble-containing water that flows in through the first line L1. For example, kerosene is used as a fuel in the boiler 21. The high-pressure cleaner 1 is a kerosene-type hot water cleaner. Water flows into the boiler 21 through the first line L1 in response to an opening operation of a water supply solenoid valve (automatic valve) V3 on the second line L2 described later. Then, the heated water flows out of the boiler 21 through the second line L2. That is, the flow of water through the first line L1 and the second line L2 is turned on and off (water flowing and stopped) in response to the opening and closing of the water supply solenoid valve V3. The boiler 21 heats the fine bubble-containing water to a certain temperature. In the high-pressure cleaner 1, the temperature of the fine bubble-containing water is set to about 60°C, but is not limited thereto, and can be set to 60°C or higher. The boiler 21 is provided with a water level sensor 22 and a temperature sensor 23. When the water level in the boiler 21 is lower than the water level sensor 22, and the boiler 21 is in a dry state, heating in the boiler 21 is stopped. When the water temperature detected by the temperature sensor 23 reaches an arbitrary set temperature, heating in the boiler 21 is stopped. When the water temperature is below the set temperature, reheating is started. A boiler drain 27 is provided at the bottom of the boiler 21, and water in the boiler tank can be drained by opening a ball valve 28. A hot water tap 26 for hand washing is provided at the top of the boiler 21.

[0023] The second line L2 introduces the microbubble-containing water flowing out from the boiler 21 into the tank 31 of the storage section 30. The tank 31 has an appropriate capacity and stores the microbubble-containing water. The tank 31 is provided with a water level sensor 33. The type of the water level sensor 33 is not particularly limited. The water level sensor 33 has, for example, a plurality of electrodes, and detects the water level in stages depending on whether each electrode is immersed in water (whether electricity is flowing or not). The water level sensor 33 includes, for example, a first electrode 33a that is the shortest, a second electrode 33b that is longer than the first electrode 33a, and a third electrode 33c that is longer than the first and second electrodes 33a and 33b. The water level sensor 33 detects a drought state, a low water level, and a full water state by these three electrodes with different lengths. A drought state is detected by turning off the electricity to the third electrode 33c. When the second electrode 33b is turned off, a low water level (i.e., the water supply start water level) is detected. When the first electrode 33a is turned on, a full water state (i.e., the water supply stop water level) is detected.

[0024] The high-pressure washer 1 further includes a control unit 60 that controls each unit (each controllable configuration) in the high-pressure washer 1. The control unit 60 is a computer including a processor such as a CPU and a storage device such as a ROM and a RAM. The control unit 60 is electrically connected to the water level sensor 33 and the water supply solenoid valve V3, or is capable of information communication (wired or wireless). The control unit 60 inputs a detection signal from the water level sensor 33. The control unit 60 opens and closes the water supply solenoid valve V3 based on the water level detected by the water level sensor 33. When the control unit 60 inputs a signal corresponding to a low water level (i.e., a water supply start water level), the water supply solenoid valve V3 is opened, and the micro-bubble-containing water is introduced into the tank 31. When the control unit 60 inputs a signal corresponding to a full water state (i.e., a water supply stop water level), the water supply solenoid valve V3 is closed, and the introduction of the micro-bubble-containing water into the tank 31 is stopped. The water supply solenoid valve V3 is controlled by the control unit 60 to switch between introduction and stop of water. Furthermore, when the control unit 60 inputs a signal corresponding to a water drought state, the high pressure pump 41 described below is stopped, and cleaning by the cleaning gun 50 is stopped.

[0025] A relief line L20 is connected to the tank 31 at a position higher than the connection port to which the upstream end L2a of the second line L2 is connected. A safety valve 29 is provided in the relief line L20, and when the water pressure in the line reaches or exceeds a predetermined value, the water in the tank 31 is discharged through the relief line L20. This prevents damage to the boiler 21 due to steam expansion. The discharge destination of the relief line L20 is the tank 31.

[0026] A strainer 36 for removing foreign matter from the water is provided at the bottom of the tank 31. An overflow OF may be provided near the upper end of the tank 31.

[0027] The third line L3 is provided with a high-pressure pump 41 having a known configuration. The high-pressure pump 41 increases (boosts) the pressure of the microbubble-containing water to a predetermined pressure. The predetermined pressure on the discharge side of the high-pressure pump 41 may be lower than the water supply pressure at the water supply port 100, but may be higher than the pressure. The predetermined pressure on the discharge side of the high-pressure pump 41 is, for example, about 3 MPa to 15 MPa. The high-pressure pump 41 has a drive motor and the like (not shown). The discharge side of the high-pressure pump 41 is provided with a spillway path L30, which is a branch line from the third line L3, via an unloader valve V4. The downstream end of the spillway path L30 is connected to the tank 31. The spillway path L30 is further branched into a spillway drain L31, and water can be discharged to the outside by opening a ball valve 39. A pump drain L41 may be provided in the third line L3 between the upstream end L3a and the high-pressure pump 41. Water can be discharged by opening a ball valve 37.

[0028] A high-pressure hose 45, which is a part of the third line L3, is connected to a hose connection port 43 provided downstream of the unloader valve V4. A cleaning gun 50 connected to the downstream end L3b of the high-pressure hose 45 sprays high-pressure microbubble-containing water from a nozzle 52 when a user operates an operation unit 51. A known configuration may be adopted as the cleaning gun 50. The water level in the tank 31 changes depending on the consumption amount (spray amount) of the microbubble-containing water. The water level in the tank 31 is generally kept at a position between the lower end of the second electrode 33b and the lower end of the first electrode 33a. For example, when the water level in the tank 31 becomes lower than the lower end of the third electrode 33c and the above-mentioned drought state is detected, the control unit 60 issues, for example, an alarm and / or a warning display through a touch panel display or a speaker (not shown).

[0029] In the high-pressure washer 1, the fine bubble generating unit 12 is provided at a position between the connection end 2 and the cleaning gun 50. The fine bubble generating unit 12 is incorporated in the high-pressure washer 1, and an integrated UFB high-pressure hot water washer is realized. In particular, in this embodiment, the fine bubble generating unit 12 is provided between the pressure regulating valve V1 and the heating unit 20. As shown in FIG. 2, in the high-pressure washer 1, a low water pressure region R, in which the water pressure is lower than the water pressure supplied from the water supply port 100, is set between the outlet of the pressure regulating valve V1 and the suction port of the high-pressure pump 41. The fine bubble generating unit 12 is provided within the range of the low water pressure region R. More specifically, the fine bubble generating unit 12 is provided at the most upstream portion within the range of the low water pressure region R.

[0030] The high-pressure washer 1 of this embodiment is used by connecting the connection end 2 to the water supply port 100. The fine bubble generating unit 12 is provided at least somewhere between the connection end 2 and the cleaning gun 50. The cleaning gun 50 sprays high-pressure fine bubble-containing water pressure-fed from the high-pressure water supply unit 40. According to this high-pressure washer 1, the line from the connection end 2 including the fine bubble generating unit 12 to the cleaning gun 50 is configured in one pass, so that fine bubble-containing water can be generated in a short time. Since the fine bubble generating unit 12 is built-in, there is no need to provide a separate fine bubble generating device. Therefore, the configuration of the high-pressure washer 1 as a whole is compact.

[0031] In addition, the high pressure washer 1 that sprays hot water has a high cleaning effect, so even if the temperature of the hot water is kept low (for example, 60°C, etc.), a sufficient cleaning effect (for example, salt removal effect, etc.) can be expected. This can reduce the escape of water containing fine bubbles as steam. The boiler 21 (heating section 20) consumes little fuel, and is excellent in fuel efficiency. This contributes to reducing the environmental impact.

[0032] The fine-bubble generating unit 12 is provided in a low water pressure region R where the water pressure is lower than the water pressure supplied from the water supply port 100. This prevents high water pressure from being applied to the fine-bubble generating unit 12, reducing wear and deformation in the internal structure of the fine-bubble generating unit 12. This improves the durability of the fine-bubble generating unit 12.

[0033] A pressure regulating valve V1 is provided between the water supply port 100 and the fine-bubble generating unit 12. This not only provides the above-mentioned protection effect for the fine-bubble generating unit 12, but also ensures that water at a constant pressure flows into the fine-bubble generating unit 12 even if there are fluctuations or variations in the water supply pressure of the water received from the water supply port 100. This allows for stable production of water containing fine bubbles.

[0034] The high-pressure cleaner 1 further includes a water supply solenoid valve V3 that is provided in the second line L2 that introduces water into the tank 31 and opens and closes based on the water level detected by the water level sensor 33 to switch between introducing and stopping water. This keeps the flow rate and pressure of the water passing through the fine-bubble generating unit 12 constant or close to constant, thereby keeping the number of generated fine bubbles according to the specifications.

[0035] Although the embodiment of the present invention has been described above, the present invention is not limited to the above embodiment. For example, in the above embodiment, a kerosene-type hot water washer has been described, but the present invention is not limited to this. The present invention may be applied to a high-pressure washer that omits the heating unit 20 and sprays cold water (i.e., water at room temperature).

[0036] When the present invention is applied to a hot water washer, an open type boiler may be used instead of the closed type boiler 21. In that case, the open type boiler may also serve as a tank.

[0037] It is possible to omit the opening and closing control of the water supply solenoid valve V3 based on the detection result of the water level sensor 33. The water level sensor 33 may not be provided, and the tank 31 may have a ball tap structure.

[0038] The fine-bubble generating section 12 may be provided at least somewhere between the connection end 2 and the cleaning gun 50. The fine-bubble generating section 12 may be provided within the low water pressure region R, downstream of the heating section 20 or downstream of the storage section 30. The fine-bubble generating section 12 may be provided outside the low water pressure region R, i.e., on the discharge side of the high-pressure pump 41. [Explanation of symbols]

[0039] 1...high pressure washer, 2...connection end, 10...fine bubble generating engine, 12...fine bubble generating section, 20...heating section, 21...boiler, 31...tank, 33...water level sensor, 40...high pressure water supply section, 41...high pressure pump, 50...cleaning gun, 60...control section, 100...water supply port, L2...second line (introduction line), R...low water pressure area, V1...pressure regulating valve, V2...pressure reducing valve, V3...water supply solenoid valve (automatic valve), V4...unloader valve.

Claims

1. A high-pressure washer (1) having a connection end (2) connected to a water supply port (100) and converting water supplied from the water supply port (100) into high-pressure water and spraying it from a cleaning gun (50), A tank (31) for storing the water; a high-pressure water supply unit (40) that pumps the water in the tank (31) by a high-pressure pump (41); the cleaning gun (50) that sprays the high-pressure water pumped from the high-pressure water supply unit (40); The high-pressure washer (1) is provided with a fine bubble generating unit (12) that is provided at least at any location between the connection end (2) and the cleaning gun (50) and generates fine bubble-containing water by circulating the water.

2. The high-pressure washer (1) according to claim 1, wherein the fine bubble generating section (12) is provided in a low water pressure region (R) where the water pressure is lower than the water pressure supplied from the water supply port (100).

3. The high-pressure washer (1) according to claim 2, further comprising a pressure regulating valve (V1) provided between the water supply port (100) and the fine bubble generating section (12).

4. The tank (31) is provided with a water level sensor (33), The high-pressure washer (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 3, further comprising an automatic valve (V3) provided in an inlet line (L2) that introduces the water into the tank (31), and switching between introducing and stopping the water by opening and closing based on the water level detected by the water level sensor (33).

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