Pulsation flow generation device and building facility

Abstract

To provide a technology capable of simplifying a configuration for generating a pulsation flow.SOLUTION: A pulsation flow generation device comprises: a fluid element 30 having a common flow path 34 into which working fluid flows from an upstream side, and a first branch flow path 36 and a second branch flow path 38 connected to the common flow path 34; and a pressure accumulator 32 to which the working fluid is supplied from the common flow path 34 via the first branch flow path 36. The second branch flow path 38 is configured to supply the working fluid supplied from the common flow path to a discharge unit 20 which discharges the working fluid. When the working fluid flows into the common flow path 34, the fluid element 30 can automatically and continuously switch between a first flow state in which a supply flow rate of the working fluid supplied from the common flow path 34 to the first branch flow path 36 is increased, and a second flow state in which a supply flow rate of the working fluid supplied from the common flow path 34 to the second branch flow path 38 is increased.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a pulsatile flow generating device for generating a pulsatile flow.

Background Art

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses a cleaning device including a cleaning water flow path that supplies cleaning water to a nozzle and a valve device that continuously opens and closes the cleaning water flow path. This cleaning device can generate a pulsed intermittent flow by continuously opening and closing the cleaning water flow path with the valve device. The valve device includes a rotary valve that continuously opens and closes the cleaning water flow path and a motor that drives the rotary valve.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] In the cleaning device of Patent Document 1, when generating an intermittent flow, a motor as an electromechanical device incorporated in the valve device is used. The inventor of the present application has recognized that there is room for improvement in the prior art in order to simplify the configuration for generating a pulsatile flow such as an intermittent flow.

[0005] Therefore, one of the objects of the present disclosure is to provide a technique capable of simplifying the configuration for generating a pulsatile flow.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] The pulsatile flow generating device according to the first aspect of the present disclosure includes a fluid element having a common flow path into which a working fluid flows from an upstream side, a first branch flow path and a second branch flow path connected to the common flow path, and a pressure accumulator to which the working fluid is supplied from the common flow path via the first branch flow path. The second branch flow path is for supplying the working fluid supplied from the supply flow path to a discharge unit that discharges the working fluid. When the flow rate of the working fluid supplied from the common flow path to the first branch flow path is defined as a first supply flow rate and the flow rate of the working fluid supplied from the common flow path to the second branch flow path is defined as a second supply flow rate, the fluid element can automatically and continuously switch between a first flow state in which the first supply flow rate is greater than the second supply flow rate and a second flow state in which the second supply flow rate is greater than the first supply flow rate when the working fluid flows into the common flow path.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0007]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 4

Figure 5

Figure 6

Figure 7A

Figure 7B

Figure 8

Figure 9

Figure 10

Figure 11

Figure 12

Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

[0008] Hereinafter, embodiments for carrying out the present disclosure will be described. The same components are denoted by the same reference numerals, and redundant descriptions are omitted. In each drawing, for convenience of explanation, components are appropriately omitted, enlarged, or reduced. The drawings are to be viewed in accordance with the direction of the reference numerals.

[0009] (First Embodiment) Referring to FIG. 1, the pulsating flow generating device 10 is used as a part of a facility 12 that utilizes a fluid. As this facility 12, building facilities installed in a building such as a house are exemplified. In addition to this, the facility 12 may be installed in a vehicle or the like other than a building. The facility 12 is used in locations with specific functions of a building such as a toilet, a bathroom, a kitchen, a washroom, air conditioning, and ventilation. The facility 12 is, for example, in addition to a toilet, a shower, a bathtub, a faucet, a hand dryer, a heating and cooling device, a ventilation fan, etc., devices associated therewith. The facility 12 as a device associated with a toilet is, for example, a local cleaning device, a washing water supply device, a chemical liquid spraying device, etc. Here, the shower is taken as an example of this facility 12.

[0010] The facility 12 includes an upstream flow path 16 that supplies the working fluid supplied from a fluid source 14 to a common flow path 34 (described later) of the pulsating flow generating device 10, a pump 18 provided in the upstream flow path 16 that sends out the pressurized working fluid, a pulsating flow generating device 10 that generates a pulsating flow of the working fluid using the pressurized working fluid supplied from the upstream flow path 16, and a discharge portion 20 that discharges the pulsating flow generated by the pulsating flow generating device 10. The pump 18 can switch the presence or absence of the sending-out operation of the working fluid under the control of a control portion (not shown).

[0011] The equipment 12 of this embodiment includes, as an optional configuration, an equipment main body 22 that is provided separately from the pulsating flow generator 10 and has a discharge part 20 provided therein. The equipment main body 22 of this embodiment is constituted by a shower head. The equipment main body 22 includes a main body flow path 24 that communicates with the discharge part 20. The main body flow path 24 includes a main flow path 26 to which a pulsating flow is supplied from the pulsating flow generator 10, and a plurality of discharge holes 28 that branch off from the main flow path 26 and constitute the discharge part 20. When a pulsating flow is supplied to the main flow path 26, the pulsating flow is supplied from the main flow path 26 to each of the plurality of discharge holes 28, and the pulsating flow Fc is discharged from each of the plurality of discharge holes 28 into the external open space (see also FIGS. 4 and 5). In this embodiment, the pulsating flow Fc is discharged in a shower shape from each of the plurality of discharge holes 28.

[0012] The "pulsating flow" generated by the pulsating flow generator 10 means a fluid flow in which the direction of fluid flow is constant and the flow rate pulsates by periodically repeating temporal fluctuations. In other words, the "pulsating flow" can also be said to be a fluid flow in which temporal fluctuations of pressure are periodically repeated in the flow path. The period of pulsation of this pulsating flow may be either invariant or variable. The pulsating flow includes an intermittent flow in which the fluid flow and stop are repeated.

[0013] The "actuating fluid" supplied to the pulsating flow generator 10 refers to a fluid for operating the pulsating flow generator 10. This actuating fluid may be any of a gas, a liquid, and a gas-liquid mixed-phase fluid. When the actuating fluid is a liquid, the equipment 12 using the fluid becomes, for example, a shower, a faucet, a local cleaning device, a chemical liquid spraying device, etc. When the actuating fluid is a gas, the equipment 12 using the fluid refers to, for example, a hand dryer, a heating and cooling device, a dryer, etc. When the actuating fluid is a gas-liquid mixed-phase fluid, the equipment 12 using the fluid becomes, for example, a shower, a faucet, etc. Here, an example in which the actuating fluid is a liquid will be described.

[0014] The pulsating flow generator 10 includes a fluid element 30 into which the actuating fluid pressurized from the upstream flow path 16 flows, and a pressure accumulator 32 to which the actuating fluid that has passed through the fluid element 30 is supplied.

[0015] The fluid element 30 includes a common flow path 34 into which the working fluid pressurized from the upstream flow path 16 flows, and a first branch flow path 36 and a second branch flow path 38 connected to the common flow path 34. The first branch flow path 36 and the second branch flow path 38 are connected to a branch portion 40 provided at the downstream end of the common flow path 34 and are used to branch the flow of the working fluid from the branch portion 40 of the common flow path 34. An example is shown in which the common flow path 34, each branch flow path 36, 38 of the fluid element 30 are formed in a single member. In addition to this, they may be formed in individual members. The fluid element 30 may include other branch flow paths connected to the branch portion 40 of the common flow path 34.

[0016] The first branch flow path 36 is for directly or indirectly supplying the working fluid supplied from the common flow path 34 to the accumulator 32. The second branch flow path 38 is for directly or indirectly supplying the working fluid supplied from the common flow path 34 to the discharge portion 20. In this specification, "indirectly supply the working fluid to..." means supplying the working fluid to the object of reference via other members. The first branch flow path 36 of this embodiment shows an example of directly supplying the working fluid to the accumulator 32. The second branch flow path 38 of this embodiment shows an example of supplying the working fluid to the discharge portion 20 via the main body flow path 24 of the equipment main body 22. When the second branch flow path 38 directly supplies the working fluid to the discharge portion 20, the discharge portion 20 is provided in the fluid element 30 at the downstream end of the second branch flow path 38. In this case, the equipment 12 may not include the equipment main body 22. Details of the fluid element 30 will be described later.

[0017] The working fluid is supplied to the accumulator 32 from the common flow path 34 via the first branch flow path 36. The accumulator 32 includes a pressure accumulation chamber 42 capable of accumulating the working fluid supplied from the first branch flow path 36, a flow inlet / outlet hole 44 serving as a passage for the working fluid to flow in and out between the first branch flow path 36 and the pressure accumulation chamber 42, and a housing 46 in which the pressure accumulation chamber 42 and the flow inlet / outlet hole 44 are formed inside.

[0018] The accumulator 32 can change the accumulation amount of the working fluid 56 in the accumulator chamber 42 according to the pressure of the working fluid in the accumulator chamber 42. Specifically, when the pressure of the working fluid 56 in the accumulator chamber 42 rises, the accumulator 32 can increase the accumulation amount of the working fluid (see Fig. 4). Further, when the pressure of the working fluid 56 in the accumulator chamber 42 drops, the accumulator 32 can decrease the accumulation amount of the working fluid 56 (see Fig. 5). Hereinafter, this function is referred to as the pressure accumulation function of the accumulator 32. The "accumulation amount" here refers to the amount of substance of the working fluid accumulated in the accumulator chamber 42.

[0019] In order to realize the pressure accumulation function of the accumulator 32, the accumulator chamber 42 of this embodiment is filled with a gas 48 such as air or nitrogen as a compressible fluid. In addition to this, the working fluid 56 contains a liquid. Thereby, the volume of the gas 48 in the accumulator chamber 42 changes according to the pressure of the working fluid 56 in the accumulator chamber 42, so that the accumulation amount of the working fluid 56 in the accumulator chamber 42 can be changed. Specifically, when the pressure of the working fluid 56 in the accumulator chamber 42 rises, the volume of the gas 48 in the accumulator chamber 42 decreases, so that the accumulation amount of the working fluid in the accumulator chamber 42 can be increased (see Fig. 4). When the pressure of the working fluid 56 in the accumulator chamber 42 drops, the volume of the gas 48 in the accumulator chamber 42 increases, so that the accumulation amount of the working fluid in the accumulator chamber 42 can be decreased (see Fig. 5). By exerting the pressure accumulation function using the gas 48 filled in the accumulator 32 in this way, the accumulator 32 can be realized with a simple configuration, which is advantageous for cost reduction.

[0020] The inflow / outflow hole 44 of this embodiment is located below the accumulator chamber 42 so that the gas 48 is not released outside the accumulator chamber 42 when the working fluid 56 is supplied into the accumulator chamber 42. The accumulator 32 is fixed to an external member (not shown) while satisfying this condition. The position of the inflow / outflow hole 44 with respect to the accumulator chamber 42 is not particularly limited, and it may be located either laterally or above the accumulator chamber 42.

[0021] Return to the description of the fluid element 30. The common flow path 34 of the fluid element 30 includes an inflow path 50 through which the working fluid flows in from the upstream flow path 16, an injection hole 52 that injects the working fluid supplied from the inflow path 50 side, and the aforementioned branch portion 40 into which the working fluid injected from the injection hole 52 flows. The common flow path 34 of the present embodiment further includes an intermediate flow path 54 provided between the inflow path 50 and the injection hole 52. Hereinafter, the direction along the center line of the injection hole 52 is referred to as the front-rear direction X, and the direction orthogonal to the front-rear direction X is referred to as the left-right direction Y.

[0022] Refer to FIGS. 2 and 3. Hereinafter, when explaining the flow of the working fluid, arrows are attached to indicate the main flow direction of the working fluid. When the working fluid flows into the common flow path 34 of the fluid element 30, the fluid element 30 can automatically and continuously switch between a first flow state S1 and a second flow state S2 with different flow directions of the working fluid. The fluid element 30 can automatically and continuously switch between the first flow state S1 and the second flow state S2 without power while remaining in a stationary state. Details of the first flow state S1 and the second flow state S2 will be described later. In order to achieve this, for example, (A1) a mode of injecting a wavy flow from the injection hole 52 of the fluid element 30 and (A2) a mode of not injecting a wavy flow from the injection hole 52 are known. In addition to this, in order to achieve this, (B1) a mode of using a feedback flow path and (B2) a mode of not using a feedback flow path are known. Here, the mode of (A1) and (B1) will be described. The specific operating principle for switching this flow state is not particularly limited, and various operating principles including known operating principles may be adopted.

[0023] The "wavy flow" in (A1) refers to the flow generated by the temporal change in the injection direction of the working fluid from the injection holes 52 so as to swing within a plane. Here, "swing within a plane" means that the injection direction swings within the plane around the swing center C1 (see Fig. 1). In satisfying the condition of "swing within a plane", a slight variation in the injection direction in the normal direction of the plane is of course allowed. In injecting the wavy flow from the injection holes 52, for example, a mode of utilizing the (C1) Coandă effect and a mode of utilizing the (C2) Karman vortex are known. Here, (C1) will be described, but its specific operating principle is not particularly limited, and various operating principles capable of injecting the wavy flow may be adopted.

[0024] The feedback flow paths 60A and 60B can apply either a positive pressure or a negative pressure that changes the flow direction to the working fluid flowing through the common flow path 34 by utilizing the flow of the working fluid flowing through either the common flow path 34 or the branch flow paths 36 and 38. Here, an example of applying a positive pressure F1 by the feedback flow paths 60A and 60B will be described.

[0025] An example will be described in which the fluid element 30 of this embodiment includes a first feedback flow path 60A provided on one side in the left-right direction Y (hereinafter simply referred to as the right side) with respect to the common flow path 34 and a second feedback flow path 60B provided on the other side in the left-right direction Y (hereinafter simply referred to as the left side) with respect to the common flow path 34. The number of the feedback flow paths 60A and 60B is not particularly limited, and may be either one or three or more.

[0026] The feedback flow paths 60A and 60B of this embodiment include an upstream opening 62 that opens to the upstream portion of the intermediate flow path 54 and a downstream opening 64 that opens to the downstream portion of the intermediate flow path 54. Each of the openings 62 and 64 of the first feedback flow path 60A opens to the inner right side surface of the intermediate flow path 54, and each of the openings 62 and 64 of the second feedback flow path 60B opens to the inner left side surface of the common flow path 34. The downstream opening 64 extends in a direction toward the flow direction of the working fluid that attempts to flow downstream along the inner surface thereof as it goes toward the back side of the feedback flow paths 60A and 60B from the opening position on the inner surface of the common flow path 34. As a result, when the working fluid flows downstream along the inner surface on one side of the common flow path 34, the working fluid flows into the feedback flow paths 60A and 60B from the downstream opening 64 that opens to the inner surface. As a result, a positive pressure flow is generated in the feedback flow paths 60A and 60B, and a positive pressure F1 can be applied from the upstream openings 62 of the feedback flow paths 60A and 60B into the common flow path 34.

[0027] The operation of the fluid element 30 described above will be described. When the working fluid flows into the common flow path 34 from the inflow flow path 50, due to the Coandă effect, the working fluid flows along either the left or right inner surface in the intermediate flow path 54 of the common flow path 34. Here, it is assumed that the first flow state S1 in which the working fluid flows along the inner right side surface in the intermediate flow path 54 of the common flow path 34 is established (see FIG. 2).

[0028] When in the first flow state S1, the first feedback flow path 60A applies a positive pressure F1 to the working fluid that attempts to flow along the inner right side surface in the intermediate flow path 54 by utilizing the flow of the working fluid in the intermediate flow path 54 of the common flow path 34. This positive pressure F1 acts as a force that pushes the working fluid so as to change the flow direction of the working fluid to the left. As a result, the working fluid flowing through the intermediate flow path 54 of the common flow path 34 separates from the inner right side surface of the intermediate flow path 54 and then, due to the Coandă effect, enters the second flow state S2 in which it flows along the inner left side surface of the intermediate flow path 54 (see FIG. 3).

[0029] When in the second flow state S2, the second feedback flow path 60B applies a positive pressure F1 to the working fluid that attempts to flow along the left inner surface in the intermediate flow path 54 by utilizing the flow of the working fluid in the intermediate flow path 54 of the common flow path 34. This positive pressure F1 acts as a force that pushes the working fluid so as to change the flow direction of the working fluid to the right. As a result, the working fluid flowing through the intermediate flow path 54 of the common flow path 34 peels off from the left inner surface and then, due to the Coandă effect, becomes the first flow state S1 in which it flows along the right inner surface of the intermediate flow path 54.

[0030] When in the first flow state S1, a working fluid having a velocity vector directed forward and to the left is injected from the injection hole 52 into the branch portion 40. When in the second flow state, a working fluid having a velocity vector directed forward and to the right is injected from the injection hole 52 into the branch portion 40. By continuously switching between the first flow state S1 and the second flow state S2, the vector amount of the velocity vector in the left - right direction Y of the working fluid injected forward from the injection hole 52 continuously increases and decreases. As a result, the injection direction of the injection hole 52 swings within the plane, and a wavy flow is generated at the branch portion 40 on the downstream side of the injection hole 52.

[0031] Here, the flow rate of the working fluid supplied from upstream of the branch portion 40 of the common flow path 34 through the branch portion 40 to the first branch flow path 36 is referred to as the first supply flow rate. The flow rate of the working fluid supplied from upstream of the branch portion 40 of the common flow path 34 through the branch portion 40 to the second branch flow path 38 is referred to as the second supply flow rate. The flow rate here refers to the instantaneous flow rate (m 3 / s) per unit time.

[0032] When the fluid element 30 is in the aforementioned first flow state S1, a large amount of the working fluid is supplied from the common flow path 34 to the first branch flow path 36, and the first supply flow rate can be greater than the second supply flow rate. Also, when the fluid element 30 is in the aforementioned second flow state S2, a large amount of the working fluid is supplied from the common flow path 34 to the second branch flow path 38, and the second supply flow rate can be greater than the first supply flow rate.

[0033] The sum of the first supply flow rate and the second supply flow rate is referred to as the total supply flow rate, and the ratio of each of the first and second supply flow rates to the total supply flow rate in terms of percentage is referred to as the flow rate ratio. When the fluid element 30 is in the first flow state S1, the flow rate ratio of the first supply flow rate to the total supply flow rate is gradually increased from 50% until it reaches the first maximum value, and then gradually decreased from the first maximum value until it reaches 50%. The fluid element 30 changes the flow rate ratio of the first supply flow rate in this manner. When the fluid element 30 is in the second flow state S2, the flow rate ratio of the second supply flow rate to the total supply flow rate is gradually increased from 50% until it reaches the second maximum value, and then gradually decreased from the second maximum value until it reaches 50%. The fluid element 30 changes the flow rate ratio of the second supply flow rate in this manner. These first and second maximum values are, for example, 100%, but values less than that may also be used. The conditions regarding the first and second supply flow rates described so far only need to be satisfied when the accumulator 32 does not exist and when viewed as the fluid element 30 alone.

[0034] The operation of the entire pulsating flow generating device 10 using the above fluid element 30 will be described. Refer to FIGS. 4 and 5. As described above, when the working fluid flows into the fluid element 30 from the upstream side, the fluid element 30 can automatically and continuously switch between the first flow state S1 (see FIG. 4) in which the first supply flow rate increases and the second flow state S2 (see FIG. 5) in which the second supply flow rate increases.

[0035] As shown in FIG. 4, when in the first flow state S1, the working fluid supplied from the branch portion 40 of the common flow path 34 to the first branch flow path 36 is supplied from the first branch flow path 36 to the accumulator 32. At this time, the accumulator 32 can accumulate the working fluid supplied from the first branch flow path 36 in the accumulator chamber 42 while increasing the pressure in the accumulator chamber 42.

[0036] As shown in Fig. 5, when in the second flow state S2, the first supply flow rate of the working fluid supplied from the common flow path 34 to the first branch flow path 36 is less than that when in the first flow state S1. Therefore, when in the second flow state S2, the pressure acting on the working fluid in the first branch flow path 36 becomes lower than that when in the first flow state S1. Thus, the accumulator 32, when in the second flow state S2, discharges the working fluid accumulated in the accumulator chamber 42 with a decrease in the increased pressure into the first branch flow path 36, making it possible to reverse the flow of the working fluid in the first branch flow path 36. Thereby, the working fluid Fb flowing backward through the first branch flow path 36 can be merged with the working fluid Fa of the second supply flow rate supplied from the common flow path 34 to the second branch flow path 38. At this time, the working fluid of the first supply flow rate supplied from the common flow path 34 to the first branch flow path 36 is pushed back by the working fluid Fb flowing backward through the first branch flow path 36 and merges with the working fluid Fa of the second supply flow rate supplied to the second branch flow path 38. As a result, the flow rate of the working fluid flowing through the second branch flow path 38 when in the second flow state S2 can be increased compared to the flow rate of the working fluid flowing through the second branch flow path 38 when in the first flow state S1.

[0037] Thereby, the flow rate of the working fluid flowing through the second branch flow path 38 can be changed temporally between when in the first flow state S1 and when in the second flow state S2. That is, after generating a pulsating flow Fc in which the flow rate of the working fluid changes temporally in the second branch flow path 38, it can be supplied to the discharge part 20 that discharges the working fluid. The way the working fluid flows to generate the pulsating flow Fc in such a pulsating flow generating device 10 can be realized by continuously switching the aforementioned first flow state S1 and second flow state S2 by the fluid element 30. The accumulator 32, by having the aforementioned accumulator function, accumulates the working fluid with an increase in the pressure of the working fluid when in the first flow state S1, and when in the second flow state S2, can discharge the fluid stored in the accumulator chamber 42 with a decrease in the pressure of the pressurized working fluid.

[0038] The effects of the above pulsating flow generating device 10 will be described.

[0039] When the working fluid flows into the common flow path 34, the fluid element 30 can automatically and continuously switch between the first flow state S1 and the second flow state S2. As a result, as described above, after generating the pulsating flow Fc in the second branch flow path 38, it can be supplied to the discharge unit 20. In generating the pulsating flow Fc in this way, the pulsating flow generating device 10 uses a combination of the fluid element 30 that operates without power and the accumulator 32, and does not require an electromechanical device such as a motor. Therefore, compared with the case of using an electromechanical device such as a motor to generate the pulsating flow Fc, the configuration for generating the pulsating flow Fc can be simplified.

[0040] In order to solve the problem of "simplifying the configuration for generating the pulsating flow", it is only necessary not to use an electromechanical device in the configuration for generating the pulsating flow using the working fluid flowing into the fluid element 30. Therefore, in order to solve the above-mentioned problem, it is acceptable to use the pump 18 that supplies the working fluid to the fluid element 30. In addition to this, in order to solve the above-mentioned problem, it is sufficient if the pulsating flow generating device 10 has the ability to generate the pulsating flow without using an electromechanical device, and it is acceptable to incorporate an electromechanical device into the pulsating flow generating device 10.

[0041] The fluid element 30 can automatically and continuously switch between the first flow state S1 and the second flow state S2 while remaining in a stationary state. In other words, the fluid element 30 does not have a movable part that moves during the operation of automatically and continuously switching between the first flow state S1 and the second flow state S2. Therefore, compared with the case where the fluid element 30 has such a movable part, the quietness is enhanced.

[0042] Suppose a case where the working fluid supplied from the common flow path 34 to the first branch flow path 36 is allowed to flow out to the outside is considered. In this case, as the outflow path of the working fluid of the pulsating flow generating device 10, in addition to the second branch flow path 38, there are a total of two outflow paths including the first branch flow path 36. The more the number of outflow paths of the pulsating flow generating device 10 increases, the more the number of flow path members (such as the equipment main body 22) connected to the outflow path increases, and the less the surplus space becomes. As a result, there is a problem that the degree of freedom in the layout regarding the peripheral structure of the pulsating flow generating device 10 decreases.

[0043] In this regard, according to the pulsatile flow generating device 10 of the present embodiment, the working fluid supplied from the common flow path 34 to the first branch flow path 36 is accumulated in the accumulator 32 and then made to flow backward to flow out to the outside from the second branch flow path 38. Therefore, even if there are two branch flow paths 36 and 38, the outflow path of the working fluid of the pulsatile flow generating device 10 can be made to be only one second branch flow path 38. As a result, by reducing the number of flow path members connected to the outflow path, more surplus space can be created, and the degree of freedom in layout regarding the peripheral structure of the pulsatile flow generating device 10 can be increased.

[0044] In the pulsatile flow generating device 10 of the present embodiment, as the inflow path of the working fluid to the pulsatile flow generating device 10, only the inflow flow path 50 of the common flow path 34 exists. That is, the pulsatile flow generating device 10 is provided with only one inflow path and one outflow path. Therefore, compared with the case where the number of the inflow path and the outflow path of the pulsatile flow generating device 10 is increased from this, more surplus space around it can be created, and the degree of freedom in layout regarding the peripheral structure of the pulsatile flow generating device 10 can be further increased.

[0045] Next, another feature of the pulsatile flow generating device 10 will be described. Refer to FIG. 1. The narrowest portion in the common flow path 34 is referred to as the narrowest portion 70, and the cross-sectional area at the cross-section perpendicular to the flow path center line at the narrowest portion 70 is referred to as the flow path cross-sectional area S0 of the narrowest portion 70. The narrowest portion 70 is also the portion with the smallest flow path cross-sectional area in the common flow path 34. The narrowest portion 70 of the present embodiment is provided in the inflow flow path 50, but it may be provided at other locations.

[0046] Examine the flow path cross-sectional area S1 of the flow path 72 of the working fluid from the second branch flow path 38 to the discharge part 20. Here, the flow path 72 refers to the path that exists in the order of the second branch flow path 38 → the main body flow path 24 when the discharge part 20 is provided in the equipment main body 22 as in this embodiment. On the other hand, when the discharge part 20 is provided at the downstream end of the second branch flow path 38 of the fluid element 30, the flow path 72 is the second branch flow path 38. When a plurality of discharge holes 28 are provided in the main body flow path 24, the plurality of discharge holes 28 exist in parallel in the flow path 72. In this case, the flow path 72 refers to the path that exists in the order of the second branch flow path 38 → the main flow path 26 → the plurality of discharge holes 28. Note that only a single discharge hole 28 may be provided in the discharge part 20.

[0047] The "flow path cross-sectional area S1 of the flow path" here is handled differently depending on the presence or absence of parallel flow paths in the flow path 72. Specifically, in the single flow path section 74 where only a single flow path exists without a plurality of parallel flow paths on the flow path 72, the flow path cross-sectional area of that single flow path itself is defined as the "flow path cross-sectional area S1 of the flow path". This single flow path section 74 refers to the section where the second branch flow path 38 and the main flow path 26 of the main body flow path 24 exist in the embodiment. The flow path cross-sectional area S1 in this single flow path section 74 means the flow path cross-sectional areas of the second branch flow path 38 and the main flow path 26 respectively. On the other hand, when there is a parallel flow path section 76 where a plurality of parallel flow paths exist in parallel on the flow path 72, in that parallel flow path section 76, the sum of the minimum flow path cross-sectional areas of the plurality of parallel flow paths is defined as the "flow path cross-sectional area S1 of the flow path". This parallel flow path section 76 refers to the section where the plurality of discharge holes 28 exist in the embodiment. The flow path cross-sectional area S1 in this parallel flow path section 76 means the sum of the minimum flow path cross-sectional areas of the plurality of discharge holes 28 respectively.

[0048] At this time, the flow path cross-sectional area S0 at the narrowest portion 70 of the common flow path 34 is preferably smaller than the flow path cross-sectional area S1 of the flow path 72 throughout the entire flow path 72 of the working fluid from the second branch flow path 38 to the discharge portion 20. The flow path cross-sectional area S0 is smaller than the flow path cross-sectional area S1 at least in the single flow path section 74. Further, when there is a parallel flow path section 76 in the flow path 72, the flow path cross-sectional area S0 is smaller than the "sum of the minimum flow path cross-sectional areas of the plurality of parallel flow paths", which is the flow path cross-sectional area S1 in the parallel flow path section 76. In other words, it can be said that the flow path cross-sectional area S1 of the flow path 72 is larger than the flow path cross-sectional area S0 of the common flow path 34 throughout the entire flow path 72. The flow path cross-sectional area S1 in the single flow path section 74 is larger than the flow path cross-sectional area S0 throughout the entire single flow path section 74. Further, when there is a parallel flow path section 76 in the flow path 72, the "sum of the minimum flow path cross-sectional areas of the plurality of parallel flow paths", which is the flow path cross-sectional area S1 in the parallel flow path section 76, will be larger than the flow path cross-sectional area S0.

[0049] Thereby, compared with the case where S0 > S1 in at least a part of the flow path 72, when in the second flow state S2, the working fluid in the accumulator 32 flowing backward in the first branch flow path 36 can be easily supplied to the second branch flow path 38 without flowing backward to the upstream side of the narrowest portion 70 of the common flow path 34. Therefore, it becomes easier to stably merge the working fluid Fb flowing backward through the first branch flow path 36 with the working fluid Fa supplied from the common flow path 34 to the second branch flow path 38. As a result, it is advantageous for generating a pulsating flow with a large degree of temporal change in flow rate in the second branch flow path 38.

[0050] The first branch flow path 36 is connected to the upstream flow path 16 only through the common flow path 34. It means that there is no flow path other than the common flow path 34 connecting the first branch flow path 36 and the upstream flow path 16. The second branch flow path 38 is connected to the upstream flow path 16 only through the common flow path 34. It means that there is no other flow path than the common flow path 34 connecting the second branch flow path 38 and the upstream flow path 16.

[0051] This simplifies the structure of the pulsating flow generator 10 compared to the case where there are other channels connecting the first and second branch channels 36 and 38 to the upstream channel 16. As a result, it is advantageous for cost reduction and miniaturization of the pulsating flow generator 10. Since there are no other channels connecting the first and second branch channels 36 and 38 to the upstream channel 16, it is possible to avoid a situation where the working fluid flows through the upstream channel 16 → other channels → the first and second branch channels 36 and 38 without passing through the common channel 34. Note that the first and second branch channels 36 and 38 may be connected to the upstream channel 16 through other channels other than the common channel 34.

[0052] As described above, the working fluid stored in the accumulator 32 contains a liquid. As an optional configuration, the pulsating flow generator 10 includes a liquid drain channel 80 for draining the liquid in the pressure accumulation chamber 42 of the accumulator 32, and a valve mechanism 82 capable of opening and closing the liquid drain channel 80.

[0053] The liquid drain channel 80 communicates with an atmospheric space 84 under an atmospheric pressure environment. When the valve mechanism 82 is opened, the liquid in the pressure accumulation chamber 42 can be drained into the atmospheric space 84 by communicating the atmospheric space 84 with the pressure accumulation chamber 42.

[0054] When filling the gas 48 into the pressure accumulation chamber 42 of the accumulator 32, the liquid as the working fluid 56 may be discharged to the outside while entraining the gas 48 in the pressure accumulation chamber 42. If, as shown in FIG. 6, the entire pressure accumulation chamber 42 is filled with the liquid as the working fluid 56 due to all the gas 48 in the pressure accumulation chamber 42 being discharged, the accumulated amount of the working fluid cannot be changed according to the pressure of the working fluid 56, and the pressure accumulation function of the accumulator 32 cannot be exerted. As a countermeasure, the pulsating flow generator 10 includes a liquid drain channel 80 that can be opened and closed by the valve mechanism 82. Thereby, by opening the valve mechanism 82, the liquid in the pressure accumulation chamber 42 can be drained to the external atmospheric space 84 through the liquid drain channel 80. As a result, it is possible to avoid a situation where the pressure accumulation function of the accumulator 32 cannot be exerted because the entire pressure accumulation chamber 42 is filled with the working fluid 56. In relation to such an effect, the following first and second opening / closing conditions may be satisfied, or the valve mechanism 82 may be configured such that the liquid drain channel 80 can be opened and closed by manual operation of the user.

[0055] The pulsatile flow generating device 10 of this embodiment is configured to satisfy the following first and second opening / closing conditions. The first opening / closing condition is that when the working fluid is supplied into the pressure accumulation chamber 42 of the pressure accumulator 32 from at least the first branch flow path 36, the valve mechanism 82 can automatically close the liquid discharge flow path 80. The second opening / closing condition is that when the inflow of the working fluid into the common flow path 34 of at least the fluid element 30 has stopped, the valve mechanism 82 can automatically open the liquid discharge flow path 80.

[0056] Refer to FIGS. 7A and 7B. In order to be configured to satisfy the first and second opening / closing conditions, the pulsatile flow generating device 10 of this embodiment is characterized by the valve mechanism 82. Specifically, the valve mechanism 82 of this embodiment includes a valve body 86 that is movable between an open position P1 that opens the liquid discharge flow path 80 and a closed position P2 that closes the liquid discharge flow path 80, and a biasing member 88 such as a spring that can bias the valve body 86 toward the open position P1. When the pressure of the working fluid 56 in the pressure accumulation chamber 42 increases beyond a predetermined valve closing pressure, the valve body 86 can move to the closed position P2 against the biasing force of the biasing member 88 by the pressure of the working fluid. When the pressure of the working fluid 56 in the pressure accumulation chamber 42 decreases below the valve closing pressure, the valve body 86 can move to the open position P1 that opens the liquid discharge flow path 80 by the biasing force of the biasing member 88.

[0057] A supply pressure acts on the working fluid that flows into the fluid element 30 by being sent out by the pump 18. When the supply pressure acts on the working fluid that flows into the fluid element 30, the pressure of the working fluid in the pressure accumulation chamber 42 fluctuates according to the supply pressure. Thereby, as described above, when in the first flow state S1, the pressure of the working fluid in the pressure accumulator 32 rises, and when in the second flow state S2, the pressure of the working fluid in the pressure accumulator 32 falls.

[0058] The valve closing pressure for closing the valve body 86 is set to be lower than the pressure range that the working fluid in the accumulator chamber 42 can take when in the first flow state S1 and the second flow state S2 (hereinafter referred to as the operating pressure range) in order to satisfy the first opening and closing condition. Also, the valve closing pressure is set to be greater than the static pressure acting on the valve body 86 from the working fluid (hereinafter referred to as the static pressure at the time of operation stop) when the supply pressure does not act on the working fluid and the accumulator chamber 42 is filled with the working fluid in order to satisfy the second opening and closing condition. The pressure increases in the order of the static pressure at the time of operation stop, the valve closing pressure, and the operating pressure range described here.

[0059] Thereby, in the process where the working fluid is supplied into the accumulator chamber 42 of the accumulator 32 and the pressure in the accumulator chamber 42 rises when the valve mechanism 82 enters the first flow state S1, the valve mechanism 82 can close the drain passage 80 when the pressure of the working fluid 56 increases more than the valve closing pressure (see Fig. 7B). When the supply of the working fluid to the fluid element 30 is stopped, the valve mechanism 82 can open the drain passage 80 because the supply pressure of the working fluid no longer acts on the working fluid in the accumulator chamber 42 (see Fig. 7A). That is, the valve mechanism 82 can be configured to satisfy the above-described first and second opening and closing conditions without power.

[0060] By satisfying such first and second opening and closing conditions, the labor burden required for opening and closing the drain passage 80 can be reduced compared to the case where the drain passage 80 is opened and closed by manual operation of the user. In particular, in relation to such an effect, it is preferable that the valve mechanism 82 can be configured to satisfy the first and second opening and closing conditions without power as described above. Thereby, a control system becomes unnecessary for satisfying the first and second opening and closing conditions, and the configuration of the pulsatile flow generating device 10 can be simplified.

[0061] In addition to this, in order to be configured to satisfy the above-described first and second opening / closing conditions, the pulsatile flow generating device 10 may include a control unit that controls the opening / closing state of the valve mechanism 82 according to the operating state of the pump 18. In this case, a power source such as a motor or a solenoid that drives the valve body 86 is incorporated into the valve mechanism 82. Furthermore, when the working fluid is being supplied by the pump 18, the drain passage 80 is closed by driving the valve body 86 by the power source under the control of the control unit. When the supply of the working fluid by the pump 18 is stopped, the drain passage 80 may be opened by driving the valve body 86 under the control of the control unit. Although an example in which the drain passage 80 is provided in the accumulator 32 has been described, it may be provided in the common passage 34, the first and second branch passages 36, 38, etc.

[0062] (First / Second Modified Forms) The fluid element 30 may be any one that can automatically and continuously switch between the first flow state S1 and the second flow state S2, and the specific configuration therefor is not particularly limited, and various fluid elements 30 including known fluid elements may be employed. For example, as a fluid element in a mode that injects the wavy flow of (A1) described above and does not utilize the feedback passage of (B2), the fluid element described in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2021-016850 filed by the applicant of the present application may be used.

[0063] Hereinafter, two modified forms of the fluid element 30 will be described. First, with reference to FIGS. 8 and 9, the first modified form will be described. Here, an example of the fluid element 30 in a mode that does not inject the wavy flow from the injection hole 52 of (A2) described above and utilizes the feedback passage of (B1) will be described.

[0064] The common passage 34 of the fluid element 30 includes an inflow passage 50, an injection hole 52, and a branch portion 40, but does not include the intermediate passage 54 described above. The first feedback passage 60A of this form is provided on the left side of the common passage 34, and the second feedback passage 60B is provided on the right side of the common passage 34.

[0065] The feedback flow paths 60A and 60B of this embodiment apply a positive pressure F1 that changes the flow direction to the working fluid flowing through the common flow path 34 by utilizing the flow of the working fluid flowing through the branch flow paths 36 and 38. Each of the first and second feedback flow paths 60A and 60B includes an upstream opening 62 that opens to the branch portion 40 of the common flow path 34 and a downstream opening 64 that opens to the branch flow paths 36 and 38. The downstream opening 64 of the first feedback flow path 60A opens to the first branch flow path 36, and the downstream opening 64 of the second feedback flow path 60B opens to the second branch flow path 38. When the working fluid flows downstream along the branch flow paths 36 and 38, the working fluid flows into the feedback flow paths 60A and 60B from the downstream openings 64 that open to the inner surfaces thereof. As a result, a positive pressure flow is generated in the feedback flow paths 60A and 60B, and the positive pressure F1 can be applied from the upstream openings 62 of the feedback flow paths 60A and 60B into the common flow path 34.

[0066] The operation of the fluid element 30 described above will be explained. When the working fluid flows into the common flow path 34 from the inflow path 50, due to the Coanda effect, the working fluid flows along the inner surface on either the left or right side in the branch portion 40 of the common flow path 34 and the branch flow paths 36 and 38 that are continuous therewith. Here, it is assumed that the first flow state S1 is formed along the left inner surface in the branch portion 40 of the common flow path 34 and the first branch flow path 36 (see FIG. 8).

[0067] When in the first flow state S1, the first feedback flow path 60A applies a positive pressure F1 to the working fluid that attempts to flow along the left inner surface in the branch portion 40 of the common flow path 34 by utilizing the flow of the working fluid in the first branch flow path 36. This positive pressure F1 acts as a force that pushes to change the flow direction of the working fluid to the right. As a result, the working fluid flowing through the branch portion 40 of the common flow path 34 peels off from the left inner surface and then, due to the Coanda effect, forms the second flow state S2 that flows along the right inner surface in the branch portion 40 and the branch flow paths 36 and 38 (see FIG. 9).

[0068] When in the second flow state S2, the second feedback flow path 60B applies a positive pressure F1 to the working fluid that attempts to flow along the right inner surface at the branch portion 40 of the common flow path 34 by utilizing the flow of the working fluid in the second branch flow path 38. This positive pressure F1 acts to push the flow direction of the working fluid to change to the left. As a result, the working fluid flowing through the branch portion 40 of the common flow path 34 peels off from the right inner surface and then, due to the Coandă effect, becomes the first flow state S1 that flows along the left inner surface in the branch portion 40 and the branch flow paths 36 and 38. Thereby, similar to the first embodiment, the fluid element 30 can automatically and continuously switch between the first flow state S1 and the second flow state S2.

[0069] Next, with reference to FIGS. 10 and 11, a second modified form will be described. Here, an example of the fluid element 30 in a mode that does not inject a wavy flow from the injection hole 52 of (A2) described above and utilizes the feedback flow path of (B1) is shown. An example of the fluid element 30 here will be described in which it includes only a single feedback flow path 60C. The feedback flow path 60C here will be described as an example of applying a negative pressure F2 that changes the flow direction to the working fluid flowing through the branch portion 40 of the common flow path 34 by utilizing the flow of the working fluid flowing through the branch portion 40 of the common flow path 34.

[0070] This feedback flow path 60C includes a first opening 66 that opens to the left inner surface of the branch portion 40 of the common flow path 34, and a second opening 68 that opens to the right inner surface of the branch portion 40. Each of the openings 66, 68 is provided so as to extend in a direction opposite to the flow direction of the working fluid that attempts to flow along the inner surface thereof as it goes from the opening position on the inner surface of the common flow path 34 toward the back side of the feedback flow path 60C. Thereby, for example, when the working fluid flows downstream along the left inner surface of the branch portion 40 of the common flow path 34, the fluid in the feedback flow path 60C is drawn into the working fluid flowing through the common flow path 34 from the first opening 66 that opens to the inner surface. As a result, a negative pressure flow is generated in the feedback flow path 60C, and a negative pressure F2 can be applied to the common flow path 34 from the second opening 68 that opens to the right inner surface on the opposite side of the feedback flow path 60C.

[0071] The operation of the fluid element 30 described above will be described. When the working fluid flows into the common flow path 34 from the inflow passage 50, due to the Coandă effect, the working fluid flows along either the left or right inner surface at the branch portion 40 of the common flow path 34. Here, it is assumed that the first flow state S1 flows along the left inner surface at the branch portion 40 of the common flow path 34 (see FIG. 10).

[0072] When in the first flow state S1, the fluid in the feedback flow path 60C is drawn into the working fluid flowing through the common flow path 34 from the first opening 66 of the feedback flow path 60C. As a result, the feedback flow path 60C applies a negative pressure F2 from the second opening 68 to the working fluid that attempts to flow along the left inner surface at the branch portion 40 of the common flow path 34. This negative pressure F2 acts to attract the flow direction of the working fluid to change to the right. Thereby, the working fluid flowing through the branch portion 40 of the common flow path 34 peels off from the left inner surface and then, due to the Coandă effect, becomes the second flow state S2 that flows along the right inner surface at the branch portion 40 (see FIG. 11).

[0073] When in the second flow state S2, the fluid in the feedback flow path 60C is drawn into the working fluid flowing through the common flow path 34 from the second opening 68 of the feedback flow path 60C. As a result, the feedback flow path 60C applies a negative pressure F2 from the first opening 66 to the working fluid that attempts to flow along the right inner surface at the branch portion 40 of the common flow path 34. This negative pressure F2 acts to attract the working fluid in a direction to change its flow direction to the left. Thereby, the working fluid flowing through the branch portion 40 of the common flow path 34 peels off from the right inner surface and then, due to the Coanda effect, becomes the first flow state S1 flowing along the left inner surface at the branch portion 40 (see FIG. 10). Thereby, similar to the first embodiment, the fluid element 30 can automatically and continuously switch between the first flow state S1 and the second flow state S2.

[0074] (Third Modified Form) A modified form of the accumulator 32 will be described with reference to FIG. 12. The accumulator 32 of this form is configured as follows in order to exhibit the aforementioned accumulator function.

[0075] The accumulator 32 includes a volume change portion 90 that is movable to change the volume of the accumulator chamber 42, and biasing portions 92A and 92B that can bias the volume change portion 90 in a volume decrease direction D2 that decreases the volume of the accumulator chamber 42 when the volume change portion 90 moves in a volume increase direction D1 that increases the volume of the volume change portion 90. These are housed inside the housing 46. The volume increase direction D1 and the volume decrease direction D2 are opposite to each other.

[0076] The volume change portion 90 is provided in a part of a volume change member 94 housed in the housing 46. The volume change member 94 of this embodiment is a diaphragm made of an elastic body. The volume change member 94 of this embodiment includes, in addition to the volume change portion 90, an outer peripheral portion 96 fixed to the housing 46. The volume change portion 90 includes a central portion 98 provided on the central side of the outer peripheral portion 96 of the volume change member 94, and an elastic deformation portion 100 that connects the central portion 98 and the outer peripheral portion 96 and is elastically deformable. The volume change portion 90 of the volume change member 94 forms a pressure accumulation chamber 42 and a sub chamber 102 by partitioning the internal space of the housing 46. The volume change portion 90 will form at least a part of the pressure accumulation chamber 42.

[0077] The biasing portions 92A and 92B of this embodiment include a first biasing portion 92A constituted by an elastic deformation portion 100 that is a part of the volume change portion 90, and a second biasing portion 92B constituted by an elastic member such as a spring member that is separate from the volume change portion 90. The second biasing portion 92B is disposed in the sub chamber 102. The biasing portions 92A and 92B can bias the volume change portion 90 by applying a repulsive force caused by their own elastic deformation to the volume change portion 90.

[0078] Thereby, the pressure accumulator 32 can change the accumulated amount of the working fluid in the pressure accumulation chamber 42 by changing the volume of the pressure accumulation chamber 42 according to the pressure of the working fluid in the pressure accumulation chamber 42. Specifically, when the pressure of the working fluid in the pressure accumulation chamber 42 rises, the volume change portion 90 moves in the volume increasing direction D1 due to the pressure of the working fluid, so that the volume of the pressure accumulation chamber 42 increases, and thereby the accumulated amount of the working fluid in the pressure accumulation chamber 42 can be increased. When the pressure of the working fluid in the pressure accumulation chamber 42 drops, the volume change portion 90 moves in the volume decreasing direction D2 by the biasing portions 92A and 92B, so that the volume of the pressure accumulation chamber 42 decreases, and thereby the accumulated amount of the working fluid in the pressure accumulation chamber 42 can be decreased.

[0079] According to the pressure accumulator 32 of this embodiment, the pressure accumulation function can be exhibited regardless of the presence or absence of the gas 48 in the pressure accumulation chamber 42. Therefore, it is not necessary to set the orientation of the pressure accumulator 32 so that the gas 48 in the pressure accumulation chamber 42 is not released outside the pressure accumulation chamber 42, and the restriction on the orientation of the pressure accumulator 32 can be relaxed.

[0080] Note that the biasing portions 92A and 92B may include only one of the first biasing portion 92A and the second biasing portion 92B. A specific example of the volume change portion 90 is not limited to a diaphragm.

[0081] The above embodiments and modified forms are examples. The technical ideas abstracted from these should not be interpreted restrictively to the contents of the embodiments and modified forms. Many design changes such as changes, additions, deletions, etc. of components are possible for the contents of the embodiments and modified forms. In the foregoing embodiments, with regard to the contents for which such design changes are possible, the notation "embodiment" is attached and emphasized. However, design changes are also permitted for the contents without such notation.

[0082] Generalizing the technical ideas embodied by the above embodiments and modified forms, it can be said that the technical ideas described in the following items are also included.

[0083] (Item 2) The accumulator can accumulate the working fluid supplied from the common flow path to the first branch flow path when in the first flow state, and the accumulator can, when in the second flow state, reverse the flow of the working fluid toward the common flow path side in the first branch flow path by discharging the working fluid accumulated in the accumulator. The pulsating flow generating device according to Item 1.

[0084] (Item 3) The flow path cross-sectional area of the narrowest portion of the common flow path is smaller than the flow path cross-sectional area of the entire flow path of the working fluid from the second branch flow path to the discharge portion. The pulsating flow generating device according to any one of Items 1 and 2.

[0085] (Item 4) The accumulator includes an accumulator chamber capable of accumulating the working fluid supplied from the first branch flow path, and the accumulator can change the accumulation amount of the working fluid in the accumulator chamber according to the pressure of the working fluid in the accumulator chamber. The pulsating flow generating device according to any one of Items 1 to 3.

[0086] (Item 5) The accumulator chamber is filled with gas, and the accumulator can change the accumulation amount of the working fluid by changing the volume of the gas in the accumulator chamber according to the pressure of the working fluid in the accumulator chamber. The pulsating flow generating device according to Item 4.

[0087] (Item 6) The working fluid includes a liquid, and the pulsating flow generating device includes a liquid draining channel for draining the liquid in the accumulator chamber and a valve mechanism capable of opening and closing the liquid draining channel. The pulsating flow generating device according to Item 5.

[0088] (Item 7) The pulsating flow generating device is configured such that when the working fluid is supplied into the accumulator chamber from at least the first branch channel, the valve mechanism automatically closes the liquid draining channel, and when the inflow of the working fluid into at least the common channel has stopped, the valve mechanism automatically opens the liquid draining channel. The pulsating flow generating device according to Item 6.

[0089] (Item 8) The accumulator can change the accumulation amount of the working fluid in the accumulator chamber by changing the volume of the accumulator chamber according to the pressure of the working fluid in the accumulator chamber. The pulsating flow generating device according to Item 4.

[0090] (Item 9) The first branch channel is connected to the upstream channel that supplies the working fluid to the common channel only through the common water channel. The pulsating flow generating device according to any one of Items 1 to 8.

[0091] (Item 10) Building equipment installed in a building, comprising the pulsating flow generating device according to any one of Items 1 to 9 and a discharge part that discharges the pulsating flow of the working fluid generated by the pulsating flow generating device.

Description of Reference Numerals

[0092] 10... Pulsating flow generating device, 12... Equipment (building equipment), 16... Upstream side flow path, 20... Discharge part, 30... Fluid element, 32... Pressure accumulator, 34... Common flow path, 36... First branch flow path, 38... Second branch flow path, 42... Pressure accumulation chamber, 48... Gas, 70... Narrowest part, 72... Flow path, 80... Drainage flow path, 82... Valve mechanism.

Claims

1. a fluid element having a common flow path into which a working fluid flows from an upstream side, and a first branch flow path and a second branch flow path connected to the common flow path; a pressure accumulator to which the working fluid is supplied from the common flow path via the first branch flow path, the second branch flow path is for supplying the working fluid supplied from the common flow path to a discharge portion that discharges the working fluid, When a flow rate of the working fluid supplied from the common flow path to the first branch flow path is defined as a first supply flow rate, and a flow rate of the working fluid supplied from the common flow path to the second branch flow path is defined as a second supply flow rate, The fluid element is a pulsating flow generating device that can automatically and continuously switch between a first flow state in which the first supply flow rate is greater than the second supply flow rate, and a second flow state in which the second supply flow rate is greater than the first supply flow rate, when working fluid flows into the common flow path.

2. the accumulator is capable of accumulating working fluid supplied from the common flow path to the first branch flow path when in the first flow state; 2. The pulsating flow generating device according to claim 1, wherein the accumulator is capable of causing the working fluid to flow back toward the common flow path in the first branch flow path by releasing the working fluid accumulated in the accumulator when in the second flow state.

3. 2. The pulsating flow generating device according to claim 1, wherein a flow path cross-sectional area at the narrowest portion of the common flow path is smaller than a flow path cross-sectional area of ​​the entire flow path of the working fluid from the second branch flow path to the discharge portion.

4. the pressure accumulator includes a pressure accumulator chamber capable of accumulating the working fluid supplied from the first branch flow passage, 2. The pulsating flow generating device according to claim 1, wherein the pressure accumulator is capable of changing an amount of the working fluid stored in the pressure accumulator in accordance with a pressure of the working fluid in the pressure accumulator.

5. The working fluid includes a liquid, The pressure accumulation chamber is filled with gas, 5. The pulsating flow generating device according to claim 4, wherein the accumulator is capable of changing an accumulated amount of the working fluid by changing a volume of the gas in the accumulator in response to a pressure of the working fluid in the accumulator.

6. a liquid drainage flow path for draining liquid from the pressure accumulator; The pulsating flow generating device according to claim 5 , further comprising a valve mechanism capable of opening and closing the liquid drainage flow path.

7. The pulsating flow generating device is the valve mechanism is configured to automatically close the liquid drainage flow path when the working fluid is supplied from at least the first branch flow path into the pressure accumulator chamber, and 7. The pulsating flow generating device according to claim 6, wherein the valve mechanism automatically opens the liquid drainage flow passage at least when the inflow of the working fluid into the common flow passage is stopped.

8. 5. The pulsating flow generating device according to claim 4, wherein the pressure accumulator is capable of changing an amount of the working fluid stored in the pressure accumulator by changing a volume of the pressure accumulator in response to a pressure of the working fluid in the pressure accumulator.

9. 2. The pulsating flow generating device according to claim 1, wherein the first branch flow passage is connected to an upstream flow passage that supplies the working fluid to the common flow passage only through the common flow passage.

10. A building facility installed in a building, A pulsating flow generating device according to any one of claims 1 to 9, and a discharge section that discharges the pulsating flow of working fluid generated by the pulsating flow generating device.

Images