Fine bubble producing pump, and skin care device, aeration device, coffee maker, cleaning device and autonomous traveling type cleaner including the same

Abstract

To provide a fine bubble producing pump with which a mechanism for mixing gas with a liquid and a mechanism for producing fine bubbles are integrated.SOLUTION: A fine bubble producing pump 1 includes a pump body 2, a suction part 3 for mixing gas with water and converting the mixture into water containing gas fine bubbles and air fine bubbles, and guiding the water containing the gas fine bubbles and the air fine bubbles into the pump body 2, and a discharge part 4 for discharging the water containing the gas fine bubbles and the air fine bubbles sent out from a send-out part 2-2, wherein the suction part 3 has a cylindrical part 16 for mixing the gas with the water, a gas inflow port 15-1 for flowing the gas, a suction port 17 for flowing the water, a reduction part 12, an enlargement part 13 and a fine flow channel 14 for producing fine bubbles in the passing liquid, and the reduction part 12, the enlargement part 13 and the fine flow channel 14 are provided between the suction port 17 and the cylindrical part 16.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a fine bubble generation pump for generating and containing fine bubbles of a gas such as ozone in a liquid, and an apparatus including the same.

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, an aqueous solution using a gas such as ozone has been used for disinfection and sterilization. For example, in an aqueous solution in which ozone is simply dissolved in water, most of the ozone disappears within about several hours after the production of the aqueous solution at room temperature. Therefore, in order to keep a gas such as ozone in water for a long time, a technique for generating fine bubbles of the gas dissolved in water and containing them in water is known. For example, in Patent Document 1, ozone gas generated by an ozone generator (3) is injected into raw water flowing into a high-pressure pump (5) by an ozone gas injection device (4), and a gas-liquid two-phase flow mixed with ozone gas sent from the high-pressure pump (5) flows into a fine bubble generation device (6), and a microbubble water treatment device in which fine bubbles are generated in this gas-liquid two-phase flow is disclosed.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] In recent years, there has been an increasing demand to use disinfection and sterilization with an aqueous solution in which a gas such as ozone is dissolved even at home. In order to be usable at home, it is desirable to miniaturize the apparatus. However, in the microbubble water treatment apparatus of Patent Document 1, since it is separated into a high-pressure pump (5), an ozone gas injection device (4), and a fine bubble generation device (6), it is difficult to incorporate these devices into a small-sized product for home use, and in order to incorporate these mechanisms into a small-sized product for home use, it has been desired to integrate these mechanisms into a pump.

[0005] Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a fine bubble generating pump in which a mechanism for mixing gas in a liquid and a mechanism for generating fine bubbles are integrated.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] The fine bubble generating pump of the present invention includes a pump body, a suction part that mixes gas and liquid to form a mixed fluid and guides the mixed fluid to the pump body, and a discharge part that discharges the mixed fluid sent out from the pump body. The suction part has a mixing chamber for mixing the gas and the liquid, a gas inlet for the gas to flow in, a liquid inlet for the liquid to flow in, and a fine bubble generating means for generating fine bubbles in the passing liquid. The inside of the mixing chamber is made negative pressure by driving the pump body, and the fine bubble generating means is provided between the liquid inlet and the mixing chamber.

Effects of the Invention

[0007] According to the present invention, a mechanism for mixing gas in a liquid and a mechanism for generating fine bubbles can be incorporated into a fine bubble generating pump and integrated.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0008]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 4

Figure 5

Figure 6

Figure 7

Figure 8

Figure 9

Figure 10

Figure 11

Figure 12

Figure 13

Figure 14

Figure 15

Figure 16

Figure 17

Figure 18

Figure 19

Figure 20

Figure 21

Figure 22

Figure 23

Figure 24

Figure 25

Figure 26

Embodiments for Carrying Out the Invention

[0009] Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the fine bubble generator in the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. In all these drawings, common parts will be denoted by common reference numerals.

Examples

[0010] Figs. 1 to 3 show the configuration of the first embodiment of the fine bubble generating pump 1 of the present invention. First, the overall configuration will be described with reference to Fig. 1. The fine bubble generating pump 1 is provided with a pump body 2 as a drive source, a suction part 3 for guiding a liquid to the pump body 2, and a discharge part 4 for discharging the liquid sent out from the pump body 2. It is configured to generate fine gas bubbles in the sucked liquid and discharge these liquids and gases, and includes a lid body 5. A flow path 6 through which water flows as a liquid is formed across the suction part 3, a liquid feeding part 2-2 (described later) of the pump body 2, and the discharge part 4, and water flows in this order.

[0011] The lid body 5 is detachably attached to the pump body 2. In this embodiment, it is made of resin, but this is just an example and the present invention is not limited thereto. The suction part 3 and the discharge part 4 are parts for introducing liquid into the microbubble generation pump 1, such as an elastic tube or a hose, and parts for discharging the liquid from the microbubble generation pump 1 to the outside, and are attachable to the microbubble generation pump 1. The suction part 3 guides the liquid from, for example, an elastic tube connected to the suction part 3 into the liquid delivery part 2-2 of the pump body 2. The discharge part 4 is formed in a cylindrical shape and guides the liquid sent out from the liquid delivery part 2-2 by the pump body 2 to, for example, an elastic tube connected to the discharge part 4. Therefore, the axial length and outer diameter of the suction part 3 and the discharge part 4 are adjusted according to the type and inner diameter of the elastic tube to be connected, the pressure of the liquid flowing into the suction part 3, the pressure of the liquid discharged from the discharge part 4, and the like. A collar part 7 for preventing the elastic tube from coming off is provided on the outer peripheral surface of the suction part 3, and a collar part 8 for preventing the elastic tube from coming off is provided on the outer peripheral surface of the discharge part 4. The number, shape, and position of the collar parts 7 and 8 may be adjusted and changed according to the type and inner diameter of parts such as the elastic tube to be connected, the pressure of the liquid flowing into the flow path 6, and the like.

[0012] Figure 2 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of frame A in Figure 1 and mainly shows the suction part 3. Referring to this figure for explanation, the suction part 3 has a hollow part 11 inside that forms a part of the flow path 6. Water is made to flow through this hollow part 11 to generate fine bubbles such as microbubbles and ultrafine bubbles from the gas dissolved in the water. Therefore, the suction part 3 has a function as a bubble generation part for generating fine bubbles. In the classification according to the diameter of general bubbles, fine bubbles with a diameter of 1 μm to 100 μm are called microbubbles, and fine bubbles with a diameter of several tens of nm to less than 1 μm are called ultrafine bubbles. Also, since the coalescence and absorption of fine bubbles do not occur, the fine bubbles remain as single gases in the liquid for a long time and are said to have a large bubble surface area per unit volume.

[0013] Returning to FIG. 2 and explaining, the hollow portion 11 is generally composed of a constricted portion 12, an enlarged portion 13, a narrow flow path portion 14, a gas suction portion 15, and a cylindrical portion 16. The constricted portion 12 guides the liquid flowing in from the suction port 17, which is the inlet of the hollow portion 11, to the narrow flow path portion 14. The constricted portion 12 is preferably formed such that the cross-sectional area gradually decreases from the upstream side to the downstream side of the flow path 6 in order to smoothly guide the liquid to the narrow flow path portion 14. In the present embodiment, the constricted portion 12 is formed in a substantially inverted conical shape, but the present invention is not limited to this.

[0014] The enlarged portion 13 generates fine bubbles from the gas dissolved in the liquid. When the water flowing into the enlarged portion 13 from the narrow flow path portion 14 flows toward the downstream side of the flow path 6 in the direction of the water flow F, the pressure around this water is reduced to below atmospheric pressure to become a negative pressure and reaches the saturated vapor pressure, so that the gas dissolved in this water becomes fine bubbles by cavitation, and fine bubbles are generated in the water. Therefore, in the present embodiment, the constricted portion 12, the enlarged portion 13, and the narrow flow path portion 14 constitute a fine bubble generating means for generating fine bubbles in the passing liquid. The enlarged portion 13 is preferably formed such that the cross-sectional area gradually increases from the upstream side to the downstream side of the flow path 6 in order to facilitate this phenomenon. In the present embodiment, the enlarged portion 13 is formed in a substantially conical shape, but the present invention is not limited to this, and it is sufficient that the cross-sectional area increases from the upstream side to the downstream side of the flow path 6. Further, the shape of the enlarged portion 13 and the degree of increase in the cross-sectional area of the flow path 6 may be adjusted according to the amount of bubble generation and the bubble diameter at the time of generation of the generated fine bubbles.

[0015] The narrow flow path portion 14 is formed between the constricted portion 12 and the enlarged portion 13 and fluidly connects these constricted portion 12 and enlarged portion 13. In the present embodiment, the narrow flow path portion 14 is formed in a cylindrical shape, but the present invention is not limited to this. The flow velocity of water in the narrow flow path portion 14 is determined by the pressure in the flow path 6 upstream of the narrow flow path portion 14, that is, by the flow rate of the water. When this flow rate is the same, the flow velocity of water in the narrow flow path portion 14 is determined by the diameter of the narrow flow path portion 14. Since the pressure loss changes according to the diameter of the narrow flow path portion 14 in this way, the diameter of the narrow flow path portion 14 is determined based on the required water flow rate and pressure loss. Note that since the amount of bubble generation and the bubble diameter during microbubble generation are also related to the flow velocity of the water discharged from the narrow flow path portion 14, the diameter of the narrow flow path portion 14 may be adjusted and changed according to the amount of bubble generation and the bubble diameter during microbubble generation. It is desirable that the diameter of the narrow flow path portion 14 be set such that when water is flowing at a predetermined flow rate in the enlarged portion 13, the pressure around the liquid becomes equal to or lower than the saturated vapor pressure.

[0016] The gas suction portion 15 guides gas as a gas to flow into the cylindrical portion 16, and the gas inlet 15-1, which is the outlet of the gas suction portion 15, is formed to open in the cylindrical portion 16. In the present embodiment, the gas suction portion 15 is disposed perpendicular to the cylindrical portion 16, making it easier for the gas flowing in from the gas suction portion 15 to be entrained in the flow of the liquid in the cylindrical portion 16. Note that this configuration is an example, and the present invention is not limited to this. Here, the applicant of the present application has found that when the cross-sectional area of the gas flow path in the gas suction portion 15, that is, the area of the gas inlet 15-1, is formed to be 1 / 2 or less of the cross-sectional area of the narrow flow path portion 14, when the gas that has passed through the gas suction portion 15 flows into the cylindrical portion 16, the pressure loss of the gas when it flows into the cylindrical portion 16 can be reduced, and the gas is entrained in the flow of the liquid in the cylindrical portion 16. At the same time, the pressure around this liquid is reduced to below atmospheric pressure to become a negative pressure and reaches the saturated vapor pressure, thereby promoting the gas entrained in the liquid to become microbubbles by cavitation. Therefore, in the present embodiment, the cross-sectional area of the gas flow path in the gas suction portion 15 and the area of the gas inlet 15-1 are formed to be 1 / 2 or less of the cross-sectional area of the narrow flow path portion 14.

[0017] The cylindrical portion 16 mixes the water flowing in from the enlarged portion 13 with the gas from the gas suction portion 15, and guides the mixed fluid, which is a fluid in which water and gas are mixed, to the liquid delivery portion 2-2 of the pump body 2. In the present embodiment, the cylindrical portion 16 is formed in a cylindrical shape, and the diameter of the inlet of the hollow portion 11 in the cylindrical portion 16 is formed to be substantially the same as the diameter of the outlet of the enlarged portion 13. However, the present invention is not limited to this. As long as the water flowing in from the enlarged portion 13 can be smoothly mixed with the gas from the gas suction portion 15 and this mixed fluid can be smoothly guided to the liquid delivery portion 2-2. Therefore, the cylindrical portion 16 also has a function as a mixing portion for mixing liquid and gas inside. Here, the applicant of the present application has found that when the pump body 2 is driven, by setting the pressure in the cylindrical portion 16 to a negative pressure of -30 kPa or less, even if the gas supply source (not shown) to which the gas suction portion 15 is attached is not pressurized, the gas can be easily introduced from the supply source into the cylindrical portion 16 via the gas suction portion 15, the pressure loss of the gas when flowing into the cylindrical portion 16 from the gas suction portion 15 can be reduced, and the gas entrained in the liquid when flowing into the cylindrical portion 16 from the gas suction portion 15 is likely to become fine bubbles due to cavitation. The applicant of the present application has also found that by setting the pressure in the cylindrical portion 16 to a negative pressure of -30 kPa or less, the gas dissolved in the water flowing in from the enlarged portion 13 is likely to become fine bubbles due to cavitation. Therefore, in the present embodiment, the pressure in the hollow portion 11 is configured to be -30 kPa or less.

[0018] Returning to FIG. 1 for explanation, the discharge portion 4, like the suction portion 3, has a hollow portion 21 inside that forms part of the flow path 6. This hollow portion 21 is generally constituted by a cylindrical portion 25. The cylindrical portion 25 discharges the inflowing water from the discharge port 26 and guides it to, for example, an elastic tube connected to the discharge portion 4. In the present embodiment, the cylindrical portion 25 is formed in a cylindrical shape in the same manner as the cylindrical portion 16, and the diameter of the inlet of the hollow portion 21 in the cylindrical portion 25 is formed to be substantially the same as the diameter of the outlet of the hollow portion 21. However, the present invention is not limited to this. As long as the water flowing in from the liquid delivery portion 2-2 can be smoothly discharged from the discharge port 26.

[0019] Figure 3 shows a partial cross-sectional view of the pump body 2. Referring to this figure, the pump body 2 is mainly composed of a drive unit 2-1 constituted by a motor serving as a drive source, and a liquid delivery unit 2-2 that sucks the liquid from the suction unit 3 and sends the liquid to the discharge unit 4. A packing 40 for sealing the inside of the liquid delivery unit 2-2 is disposed between the lid body 5 and the liquid delivery unit 2-2.

[0020] 31 is a diaphragm, 32 is a pump chamber formed by the diaphragm 31. The pump chamber 32 communicates with the cylindrical portion 16 of the suction unit 3 via a suction valve 33, and also communicates with the cylindrical portion 25 of the discharge unit 4 via a discharge valve 34. Therefore, the pump chamber 32 is configured to be a part of the flow path 6 within the liquid delivery unit 2-2.

[0021] The diaphragm 31 is made of an elastic material such as rubber that can expand and contract. Also, the pump chamber 32 expands and contracts due to the expansion and contraction of the diaphragm 31. The suction valve 33 regulates the backflow of the liquid from the pump chamber 32 to the cylindrical portion 16, and the discharge valve 34 regulates the backflow of the liquid from the pump chamber 32 to the cylindrical portion 25. Here, the operation of each component when the pump body 2 is driven will be described. When the pump chamber 32 expands, the discharge valve 34 as a check valve is closed, and at the same time, the suction valve 33 as a check valve is opened, and the liquid from the cylindrical portion 16 is guided into the pump chamber 32. When the pump chamber 32 contracts, the discharge valve 34 is opened and the suction valve 33 is closed, and the liquid in the pump chamber 32 is configured to be sent to the cylindrical portion 25.

[0022] 35 is a crank base. The output shaft 36 of the drive unit 2-1 is rotatably inserted and held at the central portion of the drive unit 2-1 side of the crank base 35. When the output shaft 36 is rotationally driven, the crank base 35 rotates. Also, on the lid body 5 side of the crank base 35, one end of the drive shaft 37 is held in a state inclined with respect to the axial direction of the output shaft 36 at a position eccentric from the central portion in the outer peripheral direction.

[0023] Reference numeral 38 is a driving body, which is composed of a pair of drivers 39 (one not shown) arranged in opposite directions to each other and integrally formed. The other end of the drive shaft 37 is axially attached to a shaft hole provided at the center of the drive unit 2-1 side of the driving body 38, and diaphragms 31 are attached to the tip portions of the pair of drivers 39. When the drive unit 2-1 is driven to rotate the output shaft 36 and the crank base 35, the drivers 39 of the driving body 38 reciprocate in the axial direction of the output shaft 36, and the diaphragms 31 attached to the drivers 39 expand and contract in the axial direction of the output shaft 36, thereby causing the diaphragms 31 to expand and contract.

[0024] Next, with reference to FIGS. 1 to 3, the operation of the microbubble generation pump 1 having the above-described configuration will be described. When the power supply of the microbubble generation pump 1 is turned on to drive the drive unit 2-1 of the pump body 2, the output shaft 36 and the crank base 35 rotate, and the drivers 39 of the driving body 38 reciprocate in the axial direction of the output shaft 36. Here, when the driver 39 moves in the direction of the drive unit 2-1 side, the diaphragm 31 expands in the direction of the drive unit 2-1 side, and the inside of the pump chamber 32 becomes negative pressure. At this time, the discharge valve 34 is closed and the suction valve 33 is opened. Therefore, the pump chamber 32 and the cylindrical portion 16 of the suction portion 3 communicate with each other, and the hollow portion 11 also becomes negative pressure. As shown by the arrow F, water flows into the hollow portion 11 from the suction port 17, and as shown by the arrow G, gas flows into the cylindrical portion 16 from the gas suction portion 15.

[0025] The water flowing into the hollow portion 11 is guided to the narrow flow path portion 14 through the constriction portion 12. When the water flowing into the enlargement portion 13 from the narrow flow path portion 14 flows toward the downstream side of the flow path 6, the periphery of this water is depressurized to reach the saturated vapor pressure, and the gas dissolved in this water becomes fine bubbles due to cavitation, thereby generating fine bubbles in the water. Then, when the water containing the fine bubbles and having an increased amount of vaporized air flows into the cylindrical portion 15, when the gas passing through the gas suction portion 15 flows into the cylindrical portion 16, it is involved in the flow of the water containing the fine bubbles of air in the cylindrical portion 16. Here, in the present embodiment, since the pressure in the hollow portion 11 is configured to be -30 kPa or less when the pump body 2 is driven, fine bubbles are generated in the gas involved in the liquid due to cavitation, and the fine bubbles of this gas are further contained in the water containing the fine bubbles of air.

[0026] Then, the water containing the fine bubbles of gas and the fine bubbles of air flows into the liquid delivery portion 2-2 from the cylindrical portion 16 and is guided into the pump chamber 32 through the suction valve 33.

[0027] Also, when the driver 39 moves in the direction of the lid body 5, the diaphragm 31 contracts in the direction of the lid body 5 and the pump chamber 32 contracts. At this time, since the suction valve 33 is closed and the discharge valve 34 is opened, the pump chamber 32 and the cylindrical portion 25 of the discharge portion 4 communicate with each other. Then, the water containing the fine bubbles of gas and the fine bubbles of air, which is the fluid in the pump chamber 32, is sent out to the hollow portion 21 through the discharge valve 34 and flows into the cylindrical portion 25.

[0028] After that, the water containing the fine bubbles of gas and the fine bubbles of air flows through the cylindrical portion 25 in the direction of the water flow F toward the downstream side of the flow path 6 and is discharged from the discharge port 26.

[0029] As described above, the fine bubble generating pump 1 of the present embodiment includes a drive unit 2-1 of a pump body 2 serving as a drive source, which mixes a gas as a gas and water as a liquid to form water containing fine bubbles of the gas and fine bubbles of air as a mixed fluid, and an inhalation unit 3 that guides the water containing the fine bubbles of the gas and the fine bubbles of air to a liquid delivery unit 2-2 of the pump body 2, and a discharge unit 4 that discharges the water containing the fine bubbles of the gas and the fine bubbles of air sent out from the liquid delivery unit 2-2. The inhalation unit 3 includes a cylindrical part 16 serving as a mixing chamber for mixing the gas and water, a gas inlet 15-1 for the gas to flow into the hollow part 11 of the inhalation unit 3, a suction port 17 serving as a liquid inlet for the water to flow into the hollow part 11, and a constriction part 12, a dilation part 13, and a narrow channel part 14 serving as fine bubble generating means for generating fine bubbles in the passing liquid. By driving the drive unit 2-1, the inside of the cylindrical part 16 becomes negative pressure, and the constriction part 12, the dilation part 13, and the narrow channel part 14 are provided between the suction port 17 and the cylindrical part 16.

[0030] With such a configuration, a mechanism for mixing a gas in a liquid and a mechanism for generating fine bubbles can be incorporated into and integrated with the fine bubble generating pump with a simple configuration, and the fine bubble generating pump can be miniaturized.

[0031] Further, the fine bubble generating pump 1 of the present embodiment is configured such that when the drive unit 2-1 is driving, the pressure inside the cylindrical part 16 is -30 kPa or less. This makes it easy to introduce the gas into the cylindrical part 16 via the gas inhalation part 15 or the gas inlet 15-1. Also, when the gas flowing into the cylindrical part 16 from the gas inhalation part 15 is entrapped in the water, it can be easily generated into fine bubbles by cavitation, and the gas dissolved in the water flowing in from the dilation part 13 can be easily generated into fine bubbles by cavitation.

[0032] Moreover, in the microbubble generator pump 1 of the present embodiment, the aforementioned microbubble generating means includes a constriction portion 12 whose cross-sectional area decreases from the upstream side to the downstream side of the flow path 6, an expansion portion 13 whose cross-sectional area increases from the upstream side to the downstream side, and a thin flow path portion 14 formed between the constriction portion 12 and the expansion portion 13. The area of the gas inlet 15-1 is configured to be 1 / 2 or less of the cross-sectional area of the thin flow path portion 14.

[0033] By configuring in this way, it is possible to promote the gas entrained in water to become microbubbles due to cavitation.

[0034] Moreover, the microbubble generator pump 1 of the present embodiment is configured as a diaphragm pump, and can generate water containing fine bubbles of gas and fine bubbles of air with a small and simple configuration.

[0035] FIG. 4 and FIG. 5 show a microbubble generator pump 1' which is a modification of the first embodiment. In this modification, the constriction portion 12, the expansion portion 13, and the thin flow path portion 14 constituting the microbubble generating means are formed separately from the suction portion 3'.

[0036] Referring to FIG. 4 for explanation, 41 is a microbubble generator having a constriction portion 12, an expansion portion 13, and a thin flow path portion 14. The microbubble generator 41 is generally composed of an upstream joint member 42, a downstream joint member 43, and a plate member 44 in addition to the constriction portion 12, the expansion portion 13, and the thin flow path portion 14. Inside these constriction portion 12, expansion portion 13, thin flow path portion 14, upstream joint member 42, and downstream joint member 43, a flow path 6' through which water as a liquid flows is formed. The outer shape of the microbubble generator 41 of this modification is formed in a substantially cylindrical shape. Therefore, the outer shapes of the constriction portion 12, the expansion portion 13, the thin flow path portion 14, the upstream joint member 42, and the downstream joint member 43 are also formed in a substantially cylindrical shape, and are arranged and connected coaxially in the order of the upstream joint member 42, the plate member 44, the constriction portion 12, the thin flow path portion 14, the expansion portion 13, and the downstream joint member 43 from the upstream of the flow path 6'. However, the present invention is not limited to this.

[0037] The reducing section 12, the expanding section 13, the narrow flow path section 14, the upstream joint member 42, the downstream joint member 43, and the plate member 44 are made of a metal or a resin material. Note that all of these reducing section 12, expanding section 13, narrow flow path section 14, upstream joint member 42, downstream joint member 43, and plate member 44 may be made of the same material or different materials. Here, regarding the joining method of the reducing section 12, expanding section 13, narrow flow path section 14, upstream joint member 42, downstream joint member 43, and plate member 44, any method may be used as long as the liquid does not leak from the flow path 6' at the joining location. For example, if these members are made of a metal-based material, these members may be joined by welding or diffusion bonding. Also, for example, if these members are made of a resin-based material, these members may be joined by vibration welding, ultrasonic welding, bonding using an adhesive, or a combination of these.

[0038] The upstream joint member 42 has a hollow portion 45 inside that forms part of the flow path 6'. The upstream joint member 42 guides the liquid flowing into the hollow portion 45 from an elastic tube (not shown) connected to the upstream joint member 42 to the reducing section 12. The upstream joint member 42 has a joint body 46 and a mounting portion 47. In the microbubble generator 41 of FIG. 4, the upstream joint member 42 is connected to the reducing section 12 by joining the downstream edge of the joint body 46 to the upstream edge of the reducing section 12. Both the joint body 46 and the mounting portion 47 of this modification example are formed in a cylindrical shape, and the mounting portion 47 is coaxially provided on the joint body 46 so that the mounting portion 47 protrudes from the joint body 46. Therefore, the upstream joint member 42 is formed in a tubular shape and has a function as a tube body.

[0039] The mounting portion 47 enables an elastic tube such as a hose to be attached to the microbubble generator 41. By inserting and holding the end of an elastic tube (not shown) in this mounting portion 47, this elastic tube is attached to the upstream joint member 42. A flange portion 48 for preventing the elastic tube from coming off is provided on the outer peripheral surface of the mounting portion 47. Note that the axial length, outer diameter of the mounting portion 47, the number, shape, and position of the flange portions 48 may be adjusted and changed according to the type and inner diameter of the elastic tube used, the pressure of the liquid flowing into the flow path 6', etc.

[0040] The joint body 46 guides the liquid flowing in from the attachment portion 47 in the hollow portion 45 to the narrowing portion 12. In this modified example, the hollow 45 in the attachment portion 47 is formed in a cylindrical shape, and the diameter of the outlet of the hollow portion 45 in the joint body 46 is formed slightly larger than the diameter of the inlet of the narrowing portion 12. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and it is only necessary to smoothly guide the liquid flowing in from the attachment portion 47 to the narrowing portion 12.

[0041] The fine bubble generator 41 of this modified example has a configuration in which the outer diameter of the attachment portion 47 is smaller than the outer diameter of the joint body 46, and a transition portion 49 is formed that transitions from the downstream edge portion of the attachment portion 47 to the upstream edge portion of the joint body 46. Here, usually, since the outer diameter of the attachment portion 47 is made to match the inner diameter of the elastic tube 34 to be used, when the end portion of the elastic tube is inserted until it abuts against the transition portion 49, it cannot be inserted deeper than this transition portion 49. Therefore, the transition portion 49 at this time has a function as a positioning portion indicating the insertion position of the end portion of the elastic tube.

[0042] The downstream joint member 43 has a hollow portion 51 that forms a part of the flow path 6' inside, and guides the liquid flowing in from the enlarged portion 13 to the elastic tube 52 connected to the downstream joint member 43. Similar to the upstream joint member 42, the downstream joint member 43 has a joint body 53 and an attachment portion 54. As shown in FIG. 4, the downstream joint member 43 is connected to the enlarged portion 13 by joining the upstream edge portion of the joint body 53 to the downstream edge portion of the enlarged portion 13. Therefore, the downstream joint member 43 is formed in a tubular shape and has a function as a tube body.

[0043] The attachment part 54 enables an elastic tube 52 such as a hose to be attached to the fine bubble generator 41 and has the same function as the attachment part 47. Also, the joint body 53 guides the liquid flowing in from the enlarged part 13 in the hollow part 51 to the attachment part 54. In this modified example, the upstream joint member 42 and the downstream joint member 43 have the same shape. A flange part 55 for preventing the elastic tube from coming off is provided on the outer peripheral surface of the attachment part 54 also in the downstream joint member 43, and a transition part 56 is formed in the downstream joint member 43. Note that the upstream joint member 42 and the downstream joint member 43 may have different shapes.

[0044] The plate member 44 is disposed upstream of the reduced part 12 and swirls the liquid flowing in from the hollow part 11 to make it flow into the reduced part 12. Fig. 5 shows a side view, a top view, and a cross-sectional view of the plate member 44. Explaining with reference to the figure, the plate member 44 is formed with a plurality of eccentric long holes 62 along the outer periphery of a substantially disk-shaped plate member body 61. This eccentric long hole 62 is a through hole provided through the plate member body 61, and the position of the opening of the eccentric long hole 62 is shifted in the substantially circumferential direction of the plate member body 61 on the upstream surface 61A and the downstream surface 61B of the plate member body 61. Therefore, by making the flow of the liquid passing through the eccentric long hole 62 into a spiral shape to form a swirling flow and increasing the flow velocity, the region of negative pressure generated when the liquid flowing into the enlarged part 13 from the fine flow path part 14 flows toward the downstream side of the flow path 6' can be increased. As a result, the bubble diameter of the fine bubbles generated in the liquid can be made even finer, and the amount of bubble generation during fine bubble generation can be increased. Note that the amount of shift of the opening position of the eccentric long hole 62 is preferably substantially the same for each eccentric long hole 62, and therefore the shape of each eccentric long hole 62 is preferably substantially the same. Also, as shown in Fig. 5, it is preferable that the eccentric long hole 62 is provided such that the position of the opening of the eccentric long hole 62 on the downstream surface 61B is near the outer diameter on the upstream side of the reduced part 12. Also, in this embodiment, four long hole-shaped eccentric long holes 62 are provided, but the shape and number of the eccentric long holes 62 may be adjusted and changed according to the amount of bubble generation and the bubble diameter during fine bubble generation.

[0045] Even if the fine bubble generating pump 1' is configured in this way, with a simple structure, a mechanism for mixing gas into the liquid can be incorporated into the fine bubble generating pump and integrated, and the fine bubble generating pump can be miniaturized.

Embodiment

[0046] FIG. 6 shows the configuration of a second embodiment of the fine bubble generating pump 1". In this embodiment, a cylindrical portion 16" is disposed upstream of the fine bubble generating means, and it is configured to mix gas and water and then generate fine bubbles.

[0047] Referring to FIG. 6 for explanation, the suction portion 3" has a hollow portion 11" inside that forms part of the flow path 6". Water is caused to flow in this hollow portion 11" to generate fine bubbles such as microbubbles and ultrafine bubbles from the gas dissolved in the water. Here, the cylindrical portion 16" mixes the water flowing in from the suction port 17" with the gas from the gas suction portion 15, and also guides the mixed fluid, which is a fluid in which water and gas are mixed, to the constriction portion 12. Also, in this embodiment, when the pump body 2 is driven, the pressure in the hollow portion 71, which is the portion downstream of the enlarged portion 13 in the hollow portion 11", is configured to be -30 kPa or less, making it easier to introduce gas from the gas supply source via the gas suction portion 15 into the cylindrical portion 16", and also making it easier for the gas entrained in the liquid when flowing from the gas suction portion 15 into the cylindrical portion 16" to become fine bubbles due to cavitation.

[0048] Here, the applicant of the present application has found that when the cross-sectional area of the gas flow path in the gas suction part 15, that is, the area of the gas inlet 15-1, is formed to be 1 / 3 or less of the cross-sectional area of the narrow flow path part 14, when the gas passing through the gas suction part 15 flows into the cylindrical part 16", the pressure loss of the gas when flowing into the cylindrical part 16" can be reduced, and it is involved in the liquid flow in the cylindrical part 16". At the same time, the surrounding of this liquid is depressurized to below atmospheric pressure to become a negative pressure and reach the saturated vapor pressure, so that the gas involved in the liquid is promoted to become fine bubbles by cavitation. Therefore, in the present embodiment, the cross-sectional area of the gas flow path in the gas suction part 15 and the area of the gas inlet 15-1 are formed to be 1 / 3 or less of the cross-sectional area of the narrow flow path part 14.

[0049] Next, with reference to FIG. 6, the operation of the fine bubble generating pump 1" with the above configuration will be described. When the power of the fine bubble generating pump 1 is turned on and the driving part 2-1 of the pump body 2 is driven, the diaphragm 31 expands in the direction of the driving part 2-1 side, and the inside of the pump chamber 32 becomes a negative pressure. At this time, the discharge valve 34 is closed and the suction valve 33 is opened. Therefore, the pump chamber 32 and the suction part 3 communicate with each other, and the hollow part 11" also becomes a negative pressure. As shown by the arrow F, water flows from the suction port 17" into the cylindrical part 16", and as shown by the arrow G, gas flows from the gas suction part 15 into the cylindrical part 16" and is involved in the water flow in the cylindrical part 16". Here, in the present embodiment, since the pressure in the hollow part 71 is configured to be -30 kPa or less when the pump body 2 is driven, fine bubbles are generated by cavitation in the gas and air involved in the water, and the water contains fine bubbles of this gas and air.

[0050] Then, the water containing the fine bubbles of this gas and air is guided through the constriction portion 12 to the narrow flow path portion 14. When the water flowing from the narrow flow path portion 14 into the enlargement portion 13 flows toward the downstream side of the flow path 6", the surrounding of this water is depressurized to reach the saturated vapor pressure, and the gas dissolved in this water is further refined by cavitation to generate fine bubbles in the water. Then, the water containing the fine bubbles of gas and air flows into the liquid feeding portion 2-2 from the enlargement portion 13 and is guided into the pump chamber 32 through the suction valve 33.

[0051] Also, when the driver 39 moves in the direction of the lid body 5, the diaphragm 31 contracts in the direction of the lid body 5, the pump chamber 32 contracts, the suction valve 33 is closed, and the discharge valve 34 is opened, so that the pump chamber 32 and the cylindrical portion 25 of the discharge portion 4 communicate with each other. Then, the water containing the fine bubbles of gas and air, which is the fluid in the pump chamber 32, is sent out to the hollow portion 21 through the discharge valve 34, flows through the inside of the cylindrical portion 25 in the direction of the water flow F toward the downstream side of the flow path 6", and is discharged from the discharge port 26.

[0052] As described above, the fine bubble generating pump 1" of the present embodiment includes a drive portion 2-1 of the pump body 2 serving as a drive source, mixes a gas as a gas and water as a liquid to form water containing fine bubbles of the gas and fine bubbles of air as a mixed fluid, and an inhalation portion 3" that guides the water containing the fine bubbles of the gas and fine bubbles of air to the liquid feeding portion 2-2 of the pump body 2, and a discharge portion 4 that discharges the water containing the fine bubbles of the gas and fine bubbles of air sent out from the liquid feeding portion 2-2. The inhalation portion 3" includes a cylindrical portion 16" serving as a mixing chamber for mixing gas and water, a gas inlet 15-1 for the gas to flow into the hollow portion 11" of the inhalation portion 3", a suction port 17" serving as a liquid inlet for the water to flow into the hollow portion 11", and a constriction portion 12, an enlargement portion 13, and a narrow flow path portion 14 serving as fine bubble generating means for generating fine bubbles in the passing liquid. By driving the drive portion 2-1, the inside of the cylindrical portion 16 becomes negative pressure, and the cylindrical portion 16" is provided upstream of the constriction portion 12, the enlargement portion 13, and the narrow flow path portion 14.

[0053] Even with such a configuration, it is possible to incorporate into the microbubble generation pump, in a simple configuration, a mechanism for mixing gas in a liquid and a mechanism for generating microbubbles, and integrate them, thus enabling miniaturization of the microbubble generation pump.

[0054] Also, the microbubble generation pump 1” of the present embodiment has a configuration including a reduced portion 12 whose cross-sectional area decreases from the upstream side to the downstream side of the flow path 6”, an enlarged portion 13 whose cross-sectional area increases from the upstream side to the downstream side, and a thin flow path portion 14 formed between the reduced portion 12 and the enlarged portion 13.

[0055] By configuring in this way, the gas dissolved in water can become microbubbles due to cavitation, thereby generating fine gas bubbles and fine air bubbles in water.

[0056] Also, the microbubble generation pump 1” of the present embodiment is configured such that the area of the gas inlet 15-1 is 1 / 3 or less of the cross-sectional area of the thin flow path portion 14, which can promote the gas entrained in water to become microbubbles due to cavitation.

[0057] Also, the microbubble generation pump 1” of the present embodiment is configured as a diaphragm pump, and can generate water containing fine gas bubbles and fine air bubbles with a small and simple configuration.

Example

[0058] FIG. 7 shows the configuration of a third embodiment in which the above-described microbubble generation pump 1 is applied to a device. In this embodiment, the microbubble generation pump 1 is incorporated into a skin care device 71 that applies lotion L to a user's skin, such as a beauty device or a steamer, and is configured to contain microbubbles in the lotion L.

[0059] Referring to FIG. 7, the skin care device 71 includes at least a grip portion 73 as a main body that is held by the user's hand, and a head portion 72 that contacts the user's skin or the like. The grip portion 73 is provided with a tank 74 that stores the lotion L, in addition to the microbubble generating pump 1, and a battery 75 that serves as a power source for the microbubble generating pump 1. The head portion 72 has a head portion main body 72-1 that constitutes the head portion, and a cotton 72-2 provided on the front surface of the head portion main body 72-1.

[0060] The tank 74 stores the lotion L. In the microbubble generating pump 1 of the present embodiment, the lotion L in the tank 74 flows through the flow path 6 as a liquid. A cylindrical liquid delivery pipe 76 is provided in the tank 74. By liquidly connecting one end of the liquid delivery pipe 76 and the suction portion 3 of the microbubble generating pump 1, the inside of the tank 74 and the hollow portion 11 of the suction portion 3 communicate with each other, and the lotion L in the tank 74 is guided to the flow path 6. The other end of the liquid delivery pipe 76 extends into the tank 74. It is preferable that the other end of the liquid delivery pipe 76 is located near the bottom of the tank 74, so that the microbubble generating pump 1 can suck the lotion L even when the amount of the lotion L decreases.

[0061] As shown in FIG. 7, in the present embodiment, the tank 74 is disposed below the microbubble generating pump 1 to shorten the distance between the microbubble generating pump 1 and the cotton 72-2 so that the lotion L discharged from the discharge portion 4 can efficiently penetrate into the cotton 72-2. However, this is only an example, and the present invention is not limited to this configuration. The tank 74 may be detachably attached to the grip portion 73 so that the lotion L can be replenished in the tank 74. At this time, the liquid delivery pipe 76 and the suction portion 3 may be configured to be connectable to each other.

[0062] The battery 75 supplies power to the microbubble generation pump 1. In this embodiment, the battery 75 is located at the bottom of the grip portion 73, facilitating access to the battery 75 from below the grip portion 73, making it easy to connect to a charger and charge, and since the battery 75 has weight, disposing it at the lowermost part stabilizes the center of gravity of the skin care device 71 and makes it easy to operate. Note that the battery 75 may be configured to be detachable from the grip portion 73.

[0063] The cotton 72-2 soaks up the lotion L discharged from the microbubble generation pump 1 and applies the lotion L to the user's skin or the like by pressing against the user's skin or the like. As shown in FIG. 7, in this embodiment, the discharge part 4 of the microbubble generation pump 1 protrudes into the cotton 72-2, and the discharge port 26 of the discharge part 4 is located inside the cotton 72-2. It is preferable that the discharge part 4 protrudes into the cotton 72-2 so that the discharge port 26 is located near the center inside the cotton 72-2.

[0064] Next, the operation of the skin care device 71 having the above configuration will be described. When the power of the skin care device 71 is turned on and the drive part 2-1 of the microbubble generation pump 1 is driven, the diaphragm 31 expands in the direction of the drive part 2-1 side and the inside of the pump chamber 32 becomes negative pressure. At this time, the discharge valve 34 is closed and the suction valve 33 is opened, so that the hollow part 11 also becomes negative pressure, and since the inside of the liquid supply pipe 76 communicating with the hollow part 11 also becomes negative pressure, the lotion L in the tank 74 flows into the hollow part 11 through the liquid supply pipe 76 and the suction port 17, and the air around the suction part 3 flows into the cylindrical part 16 from the gas suction part 15.

[0065] The lotion L that has flowed into the hollow portion 11 is guided to the narrow flow path portion 14 through the constriction portion 12. Then, when the lotion L that has flowed into the enlargement portion 13 from the narrow flow path portion 14 flows toward the downstream side of the flow path 6, the pressure around this lotion L is reduced to reach the saturated vapor pressure, and the gas dissolved in this lotion L becomes fine bubbles by cavitation, thereby generating fine bubbles in the lotion L. Then, when the lotion L containing the fine bubbles and having an increased amount of vaporized air flows into the cylindrical portion 16, when the air that has passed through the gas suction portion 15 flows into the cylindrical portion 16, it is involved in the flow of the lotion L containing the fine bubbles of air in the cylindrical portion 16. Here, in the present embodiment, since the pressure in the hollow portion 11 is configured to be -30 kPa or less when the pump body 2 is driven, the air involved in the liquid generates fine bubbles by cavitation, and the lotion L further contains the fine bubbles of this air in addition to the fine bubbles of air described above. Then, the lotion L containing the fine bubbles of air flows into the liquid feeding portion 2-2 from the cylindrical portion 16 and is guided into the pump chamber 32 through the suction valve 33.

[0066] Also, when the driver 39 moves in the direction of the lid body 5, the diaphragm 31 contracts in the direction of the lid body 5 and the pump chamber 32 contracts. At this time, the suction valve 33 is closed and the discharge valve 34 is opened, and the pump chamber 32 and the cylindrical portion 25 of the discharge portion 4 communicate with each other, and the lotion L containing the fine bubbles of air in the pump chamber 32 is sent out to the hollow portion 21 through the discharge valve 34, flows through the inside of the cylindrical portion 25 toward the downstream side of the flow path 6, and is discharged from the discharge port 26 into the cotton 72-2 and penetrates into the cotton 72-2. Then, by pressing the cotton 72-2 against the user's skin or the like, the lotion L containing the fine bubbles of air is applied to the user's skin or the like. Since the fine bubbles have the effect of promoting blood circulation and improving the penetration power of the lotion L, when the lotion L containing the fine bubbles of air is applied, the user's blood circulation is promoted and the lotion L penetrates more into the user's skin.

[0067] Note that a container containing a gas such as carbon dioxide gas may be connected to the gas inhalation unit 15, and fine bubbles of the gas can be contained in the lotion L as described above in the first embodiment. In this case, the container containing the gas may be configured to be detachable from the grip portion 73, or the container may be configured to allow gas to be injected from the outside. Further, the gas inhalation unit 15 may be configured to be connectable to the outside of the skin care device 71, and the container containing the gas may be located outside the skin care device 71.

[0068] As described above, the skin care device 71 of the present embodiment includes the fine bubble generation pump 1 and the tank 74 that stores the lotion L as a liquid. The fine bubble generation pump 1 is configured to suck the lotion L from the tank 74, and since the fine bubbles of air can be contained in the lotion L, by applying the lotion L containing the fine bubbles of air, the blood circulation of the user can be promoted and the lotion L can penetrate more into the user's skin. In addition, by using the fine bubble generation pump 1 in which the mechanism for mixing air or gas into the liquid and the mechanism for generating fine bubbles are integrated, the design range can be expanded and the skin care device 71 can be miniaturized.

Example

[0069] FIG. 8 shows the configuration of a fourth embodiment in which the above-described fine bubble generation pump 1 is applied to a device. In the present embodiment, the fine bubble generation pump 1 is incorporated as an aeration device in the aquarium 81, and is configured to contain fine bubbles in the water W in the water tank 83.

[0070] Referring to FIG. 8, the aquarium 81 of the present embodiment includes a main body case 82 provided with a fine bubble generating pump 1 as an aeration device, and a water tank 83 for storing water W. A suction pipe 84 for guiding the water W in the water tank 83 to the fine bubble generating pump 1 is attached to the suction part 3 of the fine bubble generating pump 1, and the other end of the suction pipe 84 is disposed in the water tank 83 so as to be located in the water W. Further, a discharge pipe 85 for guiding the water W containing fine air bubbles from the fine bubble generating pump 1 to the water tank 83 is attached to the discharge part 4, and an air stone 86 for supplying air to the water W in the water tank 83 is provided at the other end of the discharge pipe 85, and the air stone 86 is disposed in the water tank 83 so as to be located in the water W. Also, 89 is a filter attached to the end of the suction pipe 84. The filter 89 performs physical filtration for filtering out large substances such as dead leaves and feces. The suction pipe 84 and the discharge pipe 85 of the present embodiment use a tube made of an elastic member such as rubber, but the present invention is not limited thereto, and any member that can guide the water W in the water tank 83 to the fine bubble generating pump 1 and guide the water W containing fine air bubbles from the fine bubble generating pump 1 to the water tank 83 may be used.

[0071] Next, the operation of the aeration device of the aquarium 81 with the above configuration will be described. When the power of the fine bubble generating pump 1 is turned on to drive the drive unit 2-1, the inside of the pump chamber 32 becomes negative pressure. At this time, the discharge valve 34 is closed and the suction valve 33 is opened, and the hollow portion 11 also becomes negative pressure. Since the inside of the suction pipe 84 communicating with the hollow portion 11 also becomes negative pressure, the water W in the water tank 83 flows into the hollow portion 11 through the suction pipe 84 and the suction port 17, and the air around the suction portion 3 flows into the cylindrical portion 16 from the gas suction portion 15. Then, it is guided to the narrow flow path portion 14 through the constriction portion 12. When the water W flowing into the enlarged portion 13 from the narrow flow path portion 14 flows toward the downstream side of the flow path 6, the periphery of this water W is decompressed to reach the saturated vapor pressure, and the gas dissolved in this water W becomes fine bubbles by cavitation, so that fine bubbles are generated in the water W. Thereafter, when this water W flows into the cylindrical portion 15, when the air that has passed through the gas suction portion 15 flows into the cylindrical portion 16, it is caught in the flow of the water W in the cylindrical portion 16, and the air caught in the water W generates fine bubbles by cavitation, and the water W containing the fine bubbles of this air further contains the fine bubbles of the air described above. Then, this water W flows into the liquid feeding portion 2-2 from the cylindrical portion 16 and is guided into the pump chamber 32 through the suction valve 33.

[0072] Also, when the rotor 39 moves in the direction of the lid body 5, the pump chamber 32 contracts. At this time, the suction valve 33 is closed and the discharge valve 34 is opened, and the water W containing fine bubbles of air in the pump chamber 32 is sent out to the hollow portion 21 through the discharge valve 34, flows through the inside of the cylindrical portion 25 toward the downstream side of the flow path 6, and is guided from the discharge port 26 to the air stone 86 through the discharge pipe 85, and is discharged from the air stone 86 into the water tank 83. With such a configuration, when fine bubbles are present in the water W in the water tank 83, for example, the environment of the water tank 83 can be improved such that algae are less likely to adhere to the water tank 83 due to the fine bubbles. Also, since the amount of air in the water W increases, the dissolved oxygen concentration of the water W can be improved, and for example, the growth of organisms in the water tank 83 such as fish can be promoted.

[0073] As described above, the aeration device of the aquarium 81 of the present embodiment includes the fine bubble generation pump 1. The fine bubble generation pump 1 is configured to suck water W as a liquid from the water tank 83 and discharge the water W containing fine bubbles of air as a mixed fluid containing fine bubbles of air as a gas. By causing the water W in the water tank 83 to contain fine bubbles of air, the environment of the water tank 83 can be improved, and the growth of organisms in the water tank 83 can also be promoted.

[0074] FIG. 9 shows a modification of the fourth embodiment. In the aquarium 81' of this modification, in addition to the fine bubble generation pump 1 as an aeration device, a filter 88 is incorporated.

[0075] Referring to FIG. 9 for explanation, in the aquarium 81' of this modification, the filter 88 is attached to the discharge part 4 of the fine bubble generation pump 1 instead of the discharge pipe 85 and the air stone 86. Also, a filter 89 is attached to the end of the suction pipe 84 on the side of the water tank 83.

[0076] The filter 88 is attached to filter the water W in the water tank 83. For example, by passing through a porous filter medium or the like, biological filtration that detoxifies harmful substances such as ammonia in the water W by the action of aerobic bacteria, or chemical filtration that removes the odor of driftwood and the smell of the water W in the water W by passing through activated carbon, zeolite, etc. is performed. In this modification, the fine bubble generation pump 1, the filter 88, and the filter 89 form a filtration device. Note that this configuration is an example, and the present invention is not limited to this.

[0077] Next, the operation of the aeration device of the aquarium 81' having the above configuration will be described. When the power of the fine bubble generation pump 1 is turned on and the drive unit 2-1 is driven, the inside of the suction pipe 84 becomes negative pressure as described above, so the water W in the water tank 83 flows into the suction pipe 84 via the filter 89. At this time, substances large enough to be visible, such as feces and withered leaves of aquatic plants in the water W, are caught by the filter 89 and removed by physical filtration.

[0078] Then, water W flows into the hollow portion 11 through the suction pipe 84 and the suction port 17. When passing through the constriction portion 12, the fine flow path portion 14, and the enlargement portion 13, the gas dissolved in the water W forms fine bubbles due to cavitation, and thus fine bubbles are generated in the water W. When this water W flows into the cylindrical portion 16, the air that has passed through the gas suction portion 15 is entrained in the flow of the water W in the cylindrical portion 16, and fine bubbles are generated by cavitation. The water W containing the fine bubbles of this air further contains the fine bubbles of the air described above. Then, this water W flows from the cylindrical portion 16 into the liquid sending portion 2-2 and is guided into the pump chamber 32 through the suction valve 33.

[0079] After that, when the pump chamber 32 contracts, the water W containing the fine bubbles of air in the pump chamber 32 is sent out through the discharge valve 34 into the hollow portion 21, flows through the inside of the cylindrical portion 25 toward the downstream side of the flow path 6, and flows into the filter 88 from the discharge port 26 through the discharge pipe 85. In the flow path of the filter 88 of this modified example, a porous filter medium on which aerobic bacteria are fixed and activated carbon are provided. When the water W containing the fine bubbles of air passes through the porous filter medium, the aerobic bacteria act on the water W, and harmful substances such as ammonia in the water W are removed by biological filtration. Here, since the water W containing the fine bubbles of air contains a large amount of oxygen, it can suppress the reproduction of anaerobic bacteria that produce toxins such as hydrogen sulfide and make the odor of the water W unpleasant, while promoting the reproduction of aerobic bacteria that require oxygen.

[0080] When the water W that has passed through the porous filter medium passes through the activated carbon, substances that cause turbidity and yellowing of the water W, such as the ac of driftwood and the odor of the water W, are adsorbed, decomposed, and removed, and thus are removed by chemical filtration. After that, the water W that has passed through the activated carbon flows from the filter 88 into the water tank 83. In this way, the water W in the water tank 83 is filtered by physical filtration, biological filtration, and chemical filtration, and by containing the fine bubbles of air, the quality of the water W in the water tank 83 can be maintained, the environment of the water tank 83 can be improved by containing the fine bubbles of air, and the growth of the organisms in the water tank 83 can be promoted.

[0081] Figures 10 to 18 show further modifications of the fourth embodiment. In the aquarium 81” of this modification, as an aeration device, instead of the fine bubble generation pump 1 of the modification of the fourth embodiment, an impeller type fine bubble generation pump 1 III is incorporated.

[0082] Referring to FIG. 10 for explanation, the aquarium 81” of this modification has a fine bubble generation pump 1 III arranged so as to submerge in the water W in the water tank 83, and the other end of the connecting pipe 90 attached to the attachment portion 125 of the fine bubble generation pump 1 described later is located above the filter 88. The connecting pipe 90 guides the water W from the fine bubble generation pump 1 III to the filter 88. The connecting pipe 90 of this modification uses a pipe made of synthetic resin or the like, but the present invention is not limited to this, and any member that can guide the water W from the fine bubble generation pump 1 III to the filter 88 may be used. III to the filter 88 may be used.

[0083] Figures 11 to 15 show the configuration of the fine bubble generation pump 1 III . First, the overall configuration of the fine bubble generator will be described with reference to FIG. 11. The fine bubble generation pump 1 III mainly includes a motor 102, an impeller 103, a main body 104 as a casing for housing the motor 102 and the impeller 103, and a cover 105 for covering the lower surface opening of the main body 104. Therefore, the fine bubble generation pump 1 III has a function as a vortex pump having an impeller 103.

[0084] The motor 102 serves as a drive source for rotating the impeller 103, and has an output shaft 102a with a hemispherical tip to which the impeller 103 is fixedly connected. The motor 102 rotates the impeller 103 via the output shaft 102a. The impeller 103 pressurizes and pumps the surrounding water by rotating. In this modification, the fine bubble generation pump 1 IIIThe configuration is such that a frameless outer rotor type motor is adopted as the motor 102. By removing the flange and fixing the motor with the casing, the space around the motor is increased to facilitate the dissipation of the heat of the motor, so that long-term stable performance can be obtained.

[0085] FIG. 12 shows a perspective view from below the impeller 103. The impeller 103 is, for example, integrally formed of resin, and mainly has a boss portion 103a having a ceiling and having a substantially cylindrical shape as a main body, blades 103b radially extending from the outer peripheral portion of the boss portion 103a, a substantially cylindrical tubular portion 103c provided concentrically with the boss portion 103a at the center of the boss portion 103a, a plate-like rib 103d provided between the inner peripheral portion of the boss portion 103a and the outer peripheral portion of the tubular portion 103c, and a substantially annular ring portion 103e extending from the outer peripheral portion of the boss portion 103a in the outer peripheral direction so as to be perpendicular to the blades 103b and provided to connect the blades 103b to each other.

[0086] The top surface of the boss portion 103a is formed in a flat shape, facilitating the sliding of the protruding portion 117 described later. As shown in FIG. 12, the blades 103b of this modification are formed in a rectangular plate shape and 36 are provided, but this is an example. As long as centrifugal force can be applied to the sucked liquid to generate a swirling flow, the shape and number of the blades 103b can be arbitrarily changed according to the intended use.

[0087] The tubular portion 103c as a through hole fixes the impeller 103 to the output shaft 102a of the motor 102 by press-fitting and passing through the output shaft 102a. In this modification, it is formed in a substantially cylindrical shape, but this is an example. For example, a groove for anti-slip may be formed on the inner surface. The rib 103d reinforces the boss portion 103a and the tubular portion 103c, suppressing the deformation of the boss portion 103a and the tubular portion 103c due to external pressure or the like. The ribs 103d of this modification are formed in a rectangular plate shape and 4 are provided, but this is an example. The shape and number of the blade ribs 103d can be arbitrarily changed according to the intended use.

[0088] The ring part 103e reinforces the blade 103b and suppresses deformation of the blade 103b due to external pressure or the like. Therefore, in the impeller 103 of this modified example, a groove G is formed by the outer peripheral part of the boss part 103a, the blade 103b, and the ring part 103e. In this modified example, in the impeller 103 of the microbubble generation pump 1 III the number of radially formed grooves G is set to be three times or more the number of energization switching times of the motor 102. Compared with a conventional impeller type pump, noise and vibration are reduced, and an appropriate pressure difference is generated in the small room part formed by the groove G and the partition plate 107 of the upper part 104b of the impeller housing part, so that microbubbles can be stably generated. Also, in this modified example, the position of the groove G is shifted by 1 / 2 pitch above and below the ring part 103e. By shifting the groove pitch above and below the groove G by 1 / 2 pitch, the flow of the cleaning liquid CL, which is the fluid being used, is smoothed, and compared with a conventional impeller type pump, noise and vibration are reduced, so that microbubbles can be stably generated.

[0089] In this modified example, the ring part 103e is provided so as to connect the vicinity of the central part of all the blades 103b, but this is just an example. Depending on the intended use, for example, the ring part 103e may be provided at the same height on the top surface of the boss part 103a. Also, a configuration without the ring part 103e may be adopted. In this case, a groove G is formed by the outer peripheral part of the boss part 103a and the blade 103b. When the microbubble generation pump 1 is assembled, a small room part with an open outer peripheral direction of the impeller 103 is formed by the groove G of the impeller 103 and the partition plate 107 of the upper part 104b of the impeller housing part to be described later, and a small room part with an open outer peripheral direction of the impeller 103 is formed by the groove G of the impeller 103 and the bottom part 105b of the cover 105 to be described later.

[0090] Returning to FIG. 11 for explanation, the main body 104 is integrally formed of, for example, resin, and is mainly composed of a motor housing portion 104a, an upper impeller housing portion 104b, and a discharge flow path member 104c. A partition plate 107 having an insertion hole 108 through which the output shaft 102a is inserted is provided between the motor housing portion 104a and the upper impeller housing portion 104b. The upper impeller housing portion 104b is connected to the lower portion of the discharge flow path member 104c, and the upper impeller housing portion 104b and the discharge flow path member 104c are spatially connected.

[0091] FIG. 13 shows a bottom view of the fine bubble generating pump 1 III and FIG. 14 shows a cross-sectional view taken along line A-A of FIG. 13, and FIG. 15 shows a cross-sectional view taken along line B-B of FIG. 13. Referring to these figures to describe the main body 104, the motor housing portion 104a is for fixing and housing the motor 102 at a predetermined position, and the side wall of the motor housing portion 104a is formed along the shape of the motor 102. In this modified example, the upper surface of the motor housing portion 104a is also closed to prevent water from entering the motor housing portion 104a even when the fine bubble generating pump 1 III is completely placed in water. Also, in the motor housing portion 104a, a packing 109 for preventing water leakage from the upper impeller housing portion 104b is provided above the insertion hole 108 of the partition plate 107 to prevent water from entering the motor housing portion 104a from the upper impeller housing portion 104b even when the output shaft 102a rotates. Note that the packing 109 may be a bearing provided with a seal ring for preventing water leakage.

[0092] FIG. 16 shows the fine bubble generating pump 1 with the cover 105 removed IIIThe following view shows the bottom view. Referring to this figure, the upper part 104b of the impeller housing will be described. The upper part 104b of the impeller housing forms an impeller housing that houses the impeller 103 in combination with a cover 105 described later, and is formed at the lower part of the main body 104. Then, the cover 105 is attached to the main body 104, and when the impeller 103 is rotationally driven within the impeller housing, water is sucked from a suction port 105c described later and pumped to a discharge flow path member 104c. The upper part 104b of the impeller housing is formed in a substantially cylindrical shape with a ceiling and having an inner diameter slightly larger than the outer shape of the impeller 103. This ceiling part is formed by a partition plate 107, and a recessed part 111 is provided at a part corresponding to the suction port 105c. Further, a communication flow path 112 is provided so as to extend in the outer direction of the upper part 104b of the impeller housing. At the end of the communication flow path 112, a discharge hole 113 is formed near the outer periphery of the partition plate 107 corresponding to the ceiling part of the impeller housing, and a configuration is provided in which the inside of the upper part 104b of the impeller housing communicates with a hollow part described later of the discharge flow path member 104c connected to the upper part 104b of the impeller housing.

[0093] As shown in FIG. 16, while the recessed portion 111 and the communication flow path 112 are disposed in the vicinity of each other, they are separated by a wall 114, and are formed in the order of the communication flow path 112 and the recessed portion 111 in the rotation direction R of the impeller 103. As a result, the water inhaled from the suction port 105c is pressurized by the impeller 103 for a longer time until it is discharged from the discharge hole 113 through the communication flow path 112. Therefore, this water is pressurized more strongly, and as will be described later, more fine bubbles are generated. Further, as shown in FIG. 16, in the upper part 104b of the impeller housing portion, the discharge hole 113 is disposed so as to be located in the tangential direction of the impeller 103, and a guide wall 115 is provided along the tangential direction, that is, in the direction of the discharge hole 113, on the side wall of the communication flow path 112 so as to guide the water flow F in this tangential direction. Further, the wall 114, which is the side wall of the communication flow path 112 facing the guide wall 115, is provided at a predetermined angle, for example, 45°, with respect to the extending direction of the guide wall 115 and the water flow F, and changes and guides the water flow F in the direction of the discharge hole 113. It is desirable that this predetermined angle is an acute angle, and the direction of the water flow F can be smoothly changed. And a curved surface wall 116 is provided along the discharge hole 113 in a U-shaped cross section, that is, in an arc shape, and the wall 114 and the guide wall 115 are connected via the curved surface wall 116 to form the communication flow path 112.

[0094] FIG. 17 is an enlarged view of the frame C in FIG. 11. In the upper part 104b of the impeller housing portion, the partition plate 107 forms a protrusion 117 around the insertion hole 108. The protrusion 117 in this modified example is formed in a hemispherical shape and three are provided around the insertion hole 108, but this is an example, and it is only necessary that the partition plate 107 is configured to avoid surface contact with the impeller 103 and rotate parallel to the partition plate 107 when the impeller 103 rotates. For example, it may be in another shape such as a pyramid shape, and the number of the protrusions 117 is not limited to three.

[0095] The discharge flow path member 104c is formed in a substantially cylindrical shape and has a hollow portion inside that serves as a water flow path, and discharges the water discharged from the discharge hole 113 to the outside of the machine through the discharge port 121. The hollow portion of the discharge flow path member 104c consists of a first hollow portion 122 formed in a cylindrical shape with a cross-section having the same shape as the discharge hole 113, and a second hollow portion 123 having a smaller cross-sectional diameter than the first hollow portion 122 and formed in a cylindrical shape with a cross-section having the same shape as the discharge port 121. The first hollow portion 122 and the second hollow portion 123 are provided concentrically and linearly arranged. Therefore, in this embodiment, a step portion 124 is formed at the transition portion between the first hollow portion 122 and the second hollow portion 123. In this modification, although the hollow portion consists of two cylindrical portions, the first hollow portion 122 and the second hollow portion 123, this is just an example, and the number of cylindrical portions constituting the hollow portion may be more or less than two. Also, the transition portion between the first hollow portion 122 and the second hollow portion 123 may be formed, for example, in a funnel shape or a curved surface shape.

[0096] 125 is a mounting portion, which is formed at the end of the discharge flow path member 104c and has a discharge port 121, and is configured to be attachable to a microbubble generation pump 1, for example, an elastic tube such as a hose. III The mounting portion 125 is formed in a cylindrical shape, and the corner portion at the tip is R-processed, but this is just an example. Note that a flange portion for preventing the elastic tube from coming off may be provided on the outer peripheral surface of the mounting portion 125.

[0097] The cover 105 is integrally molded, for example, made of resin, and is in a bottomed cylindrical shape, and its cross-section is formed to have substantially the same shape as the lower surface of the main body 104, that is, the upper portion 104b of the impeller housing portion. Then, by inserting the cylindrical side wall 105a of the cover 105 into the upper portion 104b of the impeller housing portion, the cover 105 is attached to the main body 104, and the bottom portion 105b of the cover 105 is configured to cover the entire lower surface of the upper portion 104b of the impeller housing portion. Therefore, the impeller housing portion is configured by combining the upper portion 104b of the impeller housing portion and the cover 105.

[0098] Referring to FIG. 13, the cover 105 will be described. In addition to the side wall 105a and the bottom 105b described above, the cover 105 mainly has a suction port 105c, legs 105d, a bearing portion 105e, and a scroll 105f. The suction port 105c is a hole for sucking water when the microbubble generation pump 1 is driven. It is provided in the bottom 105b, and as the impeller 103 rotates, water is sucked into the impeller housing through the suction port 105c. As shown in FIG. 3, it is preferable that the suction port 105c is provided at a position corresponding to the lower part of the outer periphery of the impeller 103. In this embodiment, the suction port 105c is provided at a position where the outer periphery of the impeller 103 and the recess 111 are visible from the suction port 105c, so that water can be more efficiently sucked into the impeller housing by the rotation of the impeller 103.

[0099] The legs 105d are used when placing the microbubble generation pump 1 on a flat surface or the like, and also make it possible to attach the suction pipe 84' to the microbubble generation pump 1 III In this modification, the legs 105d and the suction pipe 84' form a buffer before the water W flows into the impeller housing. Note that the shape of the legs 105d in this embodiment is an example, and the shape of the legs 105d may be arbitrarily changed according to the usage purpose. For example, a cylindrical attachment portion extending downward from the suction port 105c may be formed so that the suction pipe 84' can be directly attached to the suction port 105c.

[0100] The scroll 105f guides the water flowing from the communication channel 112 upward while maintaining a swirling flow, and is formed at a location on the bottom 105b corresponding to the end of the communication channel 112. Note that the upper surface of the scroll 105f in this embodiment is formed in a curved surface shape, but this is an example, and any shape that can guide water upward while maintaining a swirling flow may be used.

[0101] The bearing portion 105e pivotally supports the tip of the output shaft 102a and is formed at a location on the bottom 105b corresponding to the output shaft 102a. Referring to FIG. 18 here, the positional relationship among the motor 102, the impeller 103, and the cover 105 will be described. The motor 102 has a distance S between the tip of the output shaft 102a and the inner bottom of the bearing portion 105e1 It is fixed to the motor housing portion 104a so as to be in a certain state. At this time, the protrusion 117 contacts the top surface of the boss portion 103a of the impeller 103, and there is a gap S between the bottom surface of the impeller 103 and the bottom portion 105b 2 The impeller 103 is fixed to the output shaft 102a so as to be in a certain state. And the gap S 1 is the gap S 2 The motor 102, the impeller 103, and the cover 105 are arranged so as to be narrower than S. When the motor 102 is driven, the output shaft 102a may move downward, and even if the tip of the output shaft 102a contacts the inner bottom of the bearing portion 105e, the impeller 103 does not contact the bottom portion 105b, and the rotation of the impeller 103 is not hindered by the bottom portion 105b.

[0102] Next, the operation of the aeration device of the aquarium 81” with the above configuration will be described. Water W is stored in the water tank 83. For example, when the water W is stored up to the amount where the fine bubble generation pump 1 III is completely flooded, the water W in the water tank 83 flows into the buffer formed by the leg portion 105d and the suction pipe 84’ via the filter 89 and the suction pipe 84’, and water also flows into the upper part 104b of the impeller housing portion through the suction port 105c. When the motor 2 is driven here, the impeller 103 rotates to generate a water flow F.

[0103] Explaining the water flow F in detail, when the impeller 103 is rotationally driven, water is sucked in from the suction port 105c. In the suction port 105c and the recessed portion 111, water flows into the small rooms formed by the groove G of the impeller 103 and the partition plate 107 of the upper part 104b of the impeller housing portion, and the small room portions formed by the groove G and the bottom portion 105b of the cover 105. Also, in these small room portions, a vortex flow is generated by the centrifugal force of the rotation of the impeller 103. Then, a pressure difference is generated in the small room portion due to this vortex flow. When the vicinity of the boss portion 103a of the impeller 103 in the small room portion is depressurized to a negative pressure, the air contained in the water in the small room portion is refined by cavitation to become fine bubbles, and thus fine bubbles are generated in the water in the small room portion.

[0104] Subsequently, as shown by the arrow F in FIG. 16, the water containing fine bubbles is pumped by the impeller 103 and flows out from the small room portion along the guide wall 115 to the communication flow path 112 by the aforementioned centrifugal force. Then, the water flowing in the extending direction of the guide wall 115 collides with the wall 114 across the communication flow path 112. However, since it is provided at a predetermined angle with respect to the water flow F, the water colliding with the wall 114 flows along the wall 114 toward the discharge hole 113 and flows along the curved surface wall 116 connected to the wall 114, so that the water flow F becomes a swirling flow and the flow velocity of the water flow F increases. By being guided upward along the slobe 105f, the water flows into the first hollow portion 122 of the discharge flow path member 104c from the discharge hole 113 while maintaining the swirling flow. In this way, the water containing fine bubbles that has flowed out in the radial direction, which is the centrifugal direction of the impeller 103, flows into the first hollow portion 122 formed in the thrust direction, which is the direction of the rotation axis of the impeller 103, that is, the output shaft 102a direction.

[0105] The water containing fine bubbles that has flowed into the first hollow portion 122 flows in the direction of the output shaft 102a while maintaining the swirling flow. In this modified example, it flows upward against gravity. Then, when the water containing fine bubbles flows from the first hollow portion 122 into the second hollow portion 123, the flow velocity of the water flow increases and it flows in the direction of the output shaft 102a while maintaining the swirling flow.

[0106] After that, when the water containing fine bubbles flows toward the output shaft 102a while maintaining the swirling flow and flows into the connecting pipe 90 from the discharge port 121, due to the flow of the water containing fine bubbles when discharged from the discharge port 121, the surrounding of the water is depressurized to a negative pressure, and the air such as the fine bubbles contained in this water is further refined by cavitation. Then, as described in the above-described modification, the water W containing fine bubbles of air flows from the connecting pipe 90 into the filter 88, and the water W containing fine bubbles of air passes through the porous filter medium and activated carbon and flows from the filter 88 into the water tank 83. By configuring the aquarium 81” in this way, the water W in the water tank 83 is filtered by physical filtration, biological filtration, and chemical filtration, and by containing fine bubbles of air, the quality of the water W in the water tank 83 is maintained, the environment of the water tank 83 is improved by containing fine bubbles of air, and the growth of the organisms in the water tank 83 can be promoted.

Embodiment

[0107] FIG. 19 shows the configuration of a fifth embodiment in which the above-described fine bubble generating pump 1 is applied to an apparatus. In this embodiment, the fine bubble generating pump 1 is incorporated into a coffee maker 131 for draining water, and is configured to contain fine bubbles in the water W to be used.

[0108] Referring to FIG. 19, the coffee maker 131 of this embodiment is for drip coffee that extracts coffee using water, and mainly includes a filter unit 132 that houses coffee powder P, a beaker 133 disposed below the filter unit 132, a water tank 134 disposed above the filter unit 132, and a main body case 135 disposed above the water tank 134 and provided with the fine bubble generating pump 1.

[0109] The filter unit 132 drips water W from the water tank 134 onto the contained coffee powder P to extract coffee C, and drips the coffee C into the beaker 133. The filter unit 132 of the present embodiment mainly includes a filter unit main body 132-1 having a substantially inverted frustum shape and a cylindrical shape, a filter 132-2 provided so as to cover the bottom of the filter unit main body 132-1, which holds the coffee powder P while allowing the coffee C to pass through, and an annular holding portion 132-3 provided at the upper part of the filter unit main body 132-1. Here, the outer circumference of the holding portion 132-3 is formed to have a diameter larger than the upper opening diameter of the beaker 133, and the inner circumference of the holding portion 132-3 is substantially the same as the diameter of the desired holding portion in the substantially inverted frustum-shaped water tank 134. For example, in the example of FIG. 19, it is formed to be substantially the same as the diameter near the substantially central portion of the water tank 134. By placing the lower surface of the holding portion 132-3 on the upper opening of the beaker 133, the filter unit 132 is suspended from the beaker 133, and the water tank 134 is inserted from above the holding portion 132-3 so that the vicinity of the substantially central portion of the water tank 134 contacts the inner circumference of the holding portion 132-3, thereby suspending the water tank 134 from the filter unit 132. Note that this configuration is an example, and the present invention is not limited thereto.

[0110] The beaker 133 stores the coffee C dripped from the filter unit 132. The beaker 133 of the present embodiment has a substantially inverted frustum shape, is formed higher than the height of the filter unit 132, and the diameter of the upper opening is formed larger than the diameter of the upper end portion of the filter unit main body 132-1, so that the filter unit 132 can be suspended from the beaker 133. Note that this configuration is an example, and the present invention is not limited thereto.

[0111] The water tank 134 stores water W and drips the water W onto the filter unit 132. It mainly consists of a water tank body 134-1 having a substantially inverted frustum shape and capable of storing water W inside, and a dripping part 134-2 provided at the bottom of the water tank body 134-1 for dripping the water W in the water tank body 134-1 downward. The dripping part 134-2 of the present embodiment has a dripping speed adjustment function for adjusting the dripping speed of the water W onto the filter unit 132, and the extraction speed of the coffee C can be adjusted by the dripping part 134-2. Note that this configuration is an example, and the present invention is not limited thereto.

[0112] The suction part 3 of the microbubble generating pump 1 in the main body case 135 extends to the vicinity of the bottom of the water tank body 134-1 so that the lower end is located in the water W. The discharge part 4 of the microbubble generating pump 1 is disposed in the water tank body 134-1 so that the water W from the microbubble generating pump 1 is discharged into the water tank body 134-1. When the power of the microbubble generating pump 1 is turned on to drive the drive part 2-1, the water W in the water tank body 134-1 flows into the microbubble generating pump 1 from the suction part 3, and microbubbles are generated in the water W. The water W containing fine air bubbles is discharged from the discharge part 4 into the water tank body 134-1. With such a configuration, the water W in the water tank body 134-1 is made into water W containing fine air bubbles, and by using the water W containing fine air bubbles, for example, the extraction speed and extraction amount of the coffee C can be improved.

[0113] As described above, the coffee maker 131 of the present embodiment includes the microbubble generation pump 1 and the water tank 134 as a storage unit that stores water W as a liquid for extracting coffee C from coffee powder P. The microbubble generation pump 1 sucks water W from the water tank 134 and discharges water W containing fine bubbles of air as a mixed fluid containing fine bubbles of air as a gas into the water tank 134. By using water W containing fine bubbles of air when extracting coffee C from coffee powder P, for example, the extraction speed and extraction amount of coffee C can be improved.

[0114] FIG. 20 shows a modification of the fifth embodiment. In the coffee maker 131' of this modification, in addition to the microbubble generation pump 1, a vacuum pump 137 is incorporated.

[0115] Referring to FIG. 20, in the coffee maker 131' of this modification, there is no water tank 134, and the beaker 133 is configured to store water W. The beaker 133 also functions as the water tank 134. Further, in addition to the filter 132'-2 at the bottom of the filter unit main body 132'-1, the filter unit 132' is provided with a filter 132'-4 so as to cover the upper part of the coffee powder P. The holding part 132-3 is formed in a disk shape, and the main body case 135' is configured to be placed on the holding part 132'-3. The main body case 135' is configured to include the vacuum pump 137 in addition to the microbubble generation pump 1 and the battery 75, and the intake part 137-1 of the vacuum pump 137 penetrates the holding part 132'-3 and extends into the filter unit main body 132'-1. Here, the battery 75 supplies power to both the microbubble generation pump 1 and the vacuum pump 137.

[0116] When the vacuum pump 137 is driven, the inside of the filter unit main body 132'-1 becomes negative pressure. Therefore, the water W in the beaker 133 flows into the filter unit main body 132'-1 via the filter 132'-2. Then, the water W also flows into the place where the coffee powder P in the filter unit main body 132'-1 is stored, extracting the coffee C. The coffee C passes through the filter 132'-4 and moves upward in the direction where the vacuum pump 137 is provided. After that, when the operation of the vacuum pump 137 is stopped when a predetermined amount of coffee C is extracted, the inside of the filter unit main body 132'-1 returns from negative pressure to atmospheric pressure, and accordingly, the coffee C also flows into the beaker 133 through the filter 132'-4, the coffee powder P, and the filter 132'-2. Even with this configuration, water W containing fine air bubbles can be used for extracting coffee C.

Embodiment

[0117] FIG. 21 shows the configuration of a sixth embodiment in which the aforementioned fine bubble generation pump 1 is applied to an apparatus. In this embodiment, the fine bubble generation pump 1 is incorporated into a cleaning device 141 for cleaning hair grooming devices and beauty devices, and is configured to contain fine bubbles in the cleaning liquid CL used.

[0118] Referring to FIG. 21 for explanation, the cleaning device 141 of this embodiment cleans the blade portion B such as the outer blade and inner blade of a hair grooming device SH such as a shaver by immersing the blade portion B in the cleaning liquid CL. It mainly includes a main body case 142 serving as a housing, a cleaning tank 143 into which at least a part of the hair grooming device SH to be cleaned can be inserted and which can store a predetermined amount of the cleaning liquid CL, a cleaning liquid storage portion 144 disposed below the cleaning tank 143, a filter 145 disposed in the flow path through which the cleaning liquid CL flows from the cleaning tank 143 to the cleaning liquid storage portion 144, and a fine bubble generation pump 1 that sends the cleaning liquid CL from the cleaning liquid storage portion 144 to the cleaning tank 143. Therefore, the cleaning device 141 is configured such that a flow path through which the cleaning liquid CL flows is formed in the order of the fine bubble generation pump 1, the cleaning tank 143, the cleaning liquid storage portion 144, and the fine bubble generation pump 1.

[0119] The cleaning tank 143 is for cleaning the blade portion B of the grooming device SH. The cleaning tank 143 of the present embodiment is fluidly connected to the discharge portion 4 of the microbubble generation pump 1, and a flow path for guiding the cleaning liquid CL to the cleaning liquid storage portion 144 via the filter 145 is fluidly connected. Further, the cleaning tank 143 of the present embodiment is configured such that when a predetermined amount of the cleaning liquid CL accumulates, it overflows, and the overflowed cleaning liquid CL flows into the cleaning liquid storage portion 144. To configure it in this way, the tank of the cleaning tank 143 is doubled, and the upper end of the outer tank is formed higher than that of the inner tank. The inner tank and the discharge portion 4 of the microbubble generation pump 1 are fluidly connected, and the portion near the bottom of the outer tank and the cleaning liquid storage portion 144 are fluidly connected. In this way, the cleaning liquid CL from the microbubble generation pump 1 flows into the inner tank, overflows into the outer tank, and flows from the outer tank into the cleaning liquid storage portion 144. Therefore, the flow of the cleaning liquid CL is not obstructed, and the cleaning liquid CL in the inner tank can be kept clean by continuously circulating the cleaning liquid CL. Further, it may be configured to include a holding portion capable of holding the grooming device SH in the inserted state.

[0120] The cleaning liquid storage portion 144 has a function as a tank for storing and retaining the cleaning liquid CL. The cleaning tank 143 of the present embodiment is fluidly connected to the suction portion 3 of the microbubble generation pump 1. When the microbubble generation pump 1 is driven, the cleaning liquid CL in the cleaning liquid storage portion 144 flows into the microbubble generation pump 1, and fine air bubbles are generated in the cleaning liquid CL. The cleaning liquid CL containing the fine air bubbles flows out from the microbubble generation pump 1 into the cleaning tank 143.

[0121] When the cleaning liquid CL passes through the filter 145, it performs physical filtration to filter out substances such as dust and dirt contained in the cleaning liquid CL, for example. Therefore, when the cleaning liquid CL flowing from the cleaning tank 143 flows into the filter 145, substances such as dust when cleaning the grooming device SH, for example, contained in the cleaning liquid CL are caught by the filter 145, removed by physical filtration, and the filtered cleaning liquid CL flows into the cleaning liquid storage unit 144. Thus, it suppresses these substances such as dust and dirt from flowing into the cleaning liquid storage unit 144 and the microbubble generation pump 1, maintaining the quality of the cleaning liquid CL.

[0122] By circulating the cleaning liquid CL in the order of the microbubble generation pump 1, the cleaning tank 143, the filter 145, and the cleaning liquid storage unit 144 in this way, while maintaining the quality of the cleaning liquid CL, fine air bubbles are generated in the cleaning liquid CL, and the grooming device SH can be cleaned with the cleaning liquid CL containing fine air bubbles. When cleaning with the cleaning liquid CL containing fine air bubbles, a surfactant adheres to the surface of the fine bubbles, and since the fine bubbles are small, they can penetrate into the details of the object to be cleaned, so the attached surfactant can also penetrate into the details of the object to be cleaned, improving the cleaning power. Also, the internal pressure of the fine bubbles is as high as about 30 times the atmospheric pressure and is negatively charged. For example, the fine bubbles are adsorbed to foreign substances that are attached to the object to be cleaned and are positively charged, and the high temperature heat and high pressure generated when the fine bubbles collapse can peel off the foreign substances from the object to be cleaned, obtaining a further cleaning effect. Therefore, by cleaning the grooming device SH with the cleaning liquid CL containing fine air bubbles, the cleaning power can be improved compared to the prior art.

[0123] In this embodiment, the cleaning device 141 has been described as a device for cleaning a grooming device SH such as a shaver, but the present invention is not limited to this, and the cleaning device 141 may be configured as a device for cleaning beauty devices.

[0124] As described above, the cleaning device 141 of the present embodiment includes a fine bubble generation pump 1 and a cleaning tank 143 that can insert at least a blade portion B, which is a part of the beauty equipment SH to be cleaned, therein and can store a predetermined amount of a cleaning liquid CL containing fine bubbles of air as a mixed fluid. The fine bubble generation pump 1 is configured to discharge the cleaning liquid CL containing fine bubbles of air, which is a mixed fluid containing fine bubbles of air as a gas, into the cleaning tank 143. The beauty equipment SH can be cleaned with the cleaning liquid CL containing fine bubbles of air, and the cleaning power can be improved as compared with the conventional case. Further, by using the fine bubble generation pump 1 in which a mechanism for mixing air or gas into a liquid and a mechanism for generating fine bubbles are integrated in the cleaning device 141 of the present embodiment, the design scope can be expanded, and the cleaning device 141 can be miniaturized.

[0125] FIG. 22 shows the configuration of a modification of the sixth embodiment. In the cleaning device 141' of this modification, instead of the fine bubble generation pump 1 of the modification of the sixth embodiment, an impeller type fine bubble generation pump 1 III is incorporated.

[0126] Referring to FIG. 22, in the cleaning device 141' of this modification, the fine bubble generation pump 1 III is arranged so as to dip into the cleaning liquid CL in the cleaning liquid storage portion 144, and the mounting portion 125 of the fine bubble generation pump 1 III is fluidly connected to the cleaning tank 143.

[0127] With such a configuration, by circulating the cleaning liquid CL in the order of the fine bubble generation pump 1 III , the cleaning tank 143, the filter 145, and the cleaning liquid storage portion 144, fine bubbles of air can be generated in the cleaning liquid CL while maintaining the quality of the cleaning liquid CL, and the beauty equipment SH can be cleaned with the cleaning liquid CL containing fine bubbles of air, and the cleaning power can be improved as compared with the conventional case.

Example

[0128] FIG. 23 shows the configuration of a seventh embodiment in which the above-described fine bubble generation pump 1 is applied to an apparatus. In this embodiment, the fine bubble generation pump 1 is incorporated into an autonomous vacuum cleaner 151, and the cleaning liquid CL used is configured to contain fine bubbles.

[0129] Referring to FIG. 23, the vacuum cleaner 151 of this embodiment is of a type that sprays the cleaning liquid CL onto a floor, window, etc. and wipes and cleans the sprayed location, such as a robot vacuum cleaner. It includes a spraying unit 152 that sprays the cleaning liquid CL, a cleaning unit (not shown) having a pad 153 for wiping and cleaning and a driving unit for the pad 153, and a moving unit (not shown) having wheels 154 that rotate to move the vacuum cleaner 151 and a driving unit for the wheels 154. In addition to this configuration, it may be configured to include a suction means for sucking up liquids such as the cleaning liquid CL together with the dirt lifted by the cleaning liquid CL and the pad 153, etc., which can improve the cleaning power of the vacuum cleaner 151. In this specification, the spraying unit 152 will be mainly described.

[0130] The spraying unit 152 mainly includes a storage container 155 that stores and stores the cleaning liquid CL, a sprayer 156 as a spraying unit that sprays the cleaning liquid CL, a spray pump 157 that sends the cleaning liquid CL from the storage container 155 to the sprayer 156, and the fine bubble generation pump 1 in which the suction part 3 and the discharge part 4 are fluidly connected to the storage container 155.

[0131] When the microbubble generator pump 1 is driven, the cleaning liquid CL in the storage container 155 flows into the microbubble generator pump 1, and fine air bubbles are generated in the cleaning liquid CL. The cleaning liquid CL containing these fine air bubbles is returned from the microbubble generator pump 1 to the storage container 155. Here, when the spraying pump 157 is driven, the cleaning liquid CL containing fine air bubbles of air flows from the storage container 155 into the sprayer 156 via the spraying pump 157 and is ejected from the sprayer 156 onto the floor, window, etc. When cleaning with the cleaning liquid CL containing fine air bubbles of air as described above, the surfactant attached to the fine bubbles can also penetrate into the details of the cleaning target, improving the cleaning power. In addition, fine bubbles adsorb to the foreign matter adhering to the cleaning target and charged positively, and the high temperature heat and high pressure generated when the fine bubbles are crushed can peel off the foreign matter from the cleaning target, obtaining a further cleaning effect. Therefore, the cleaning power can be improved compared to the prior art.

[0132] As described above, the autonomous cleaning machine 151 of the present embodiment includes a microbubble generator pump 1, a storage container 155 for storing the cleaning liquid CL as a liquid, and a sprayer 156 as ejection means for ejecting the cleaning liquid CL containing fine air bubbles of air as a mixed fluid. The microbubble generator pump 1 is configured to suck the cleaning liquid CL from the storage container 156, and the cleaning liquid CL containing fine air bubbles of air can clean the cleaning places such as the floor and window, and the cleaning power can be improved compared to the prior art. In addition, by using the microbubble generator pump 1 in which a mechanism for mixing air or gas into the liquid and a mechanism for generating fine bubbles are integrated in the autonomous cleaning machine 151 of the present embodiment, the design width can be expanded, and the autonomous cleaning machine 151 can be miniaturized.

[0133] In the present embodiment, the autonomous cleaning machine 151 has been described as an example, but the present invention is not limited thereto. The configuration of the present embodiment may be adopted for cleaning machines that spray and suck the cleaning liquid CL, such as a rinser cleaner, a wet and dry vacuum cleaner, and a carpet cleaner, and the cleaning power can be improved compared to the prior art, the design width can be expanded, and miniaturization can be achieved.

[0134] Figure 24 shows the configuration of a modification of the seventh embodiment. In the self-propelled cleaner 151' of this modification, instead of the spray pump 157, a microbubble generation pump 1 is configured to send the cleaning liquid CL from the storage container 155 to the sprayer 156.

[0135] Referring to Figure 24 for explanation, the cleaner 151' of this modification does not have the spray pump 157 provided in the cleaner 151, and the discharge part 4 of the microbubble generation pump 1 is fluidly connected to the sprayer 156. When the microbubble generation pump 1 is driven, the cleaning liquid CL in the storage container 155 flows into the microbubble generation pump 1, and fine air bubbles are generated in the cleaning liquid CL. The cleaning liquid CL containing these fine air bubbles flows into the sprayer 156 through the discharge part 4 and is ejected from the sprayer 156 onto the floor, window, etc. Therefore, even with such a configuration, it is possible to clean with the cleaning liquid CL containing fine air bubbles, obtain the above-described effects, expand the design scope by simplifying the configuration of the cleaner 151', and miniaturize the cleaner 151'. In this modification as well, in addition to this configuration, a suction means for sucking the liquid such as the cleaning liquid CL together with the dirt lifted by the cleaning liquid CL and the pad 153 may be provided.

[0136] Figure 25 shows the configuration of a further modification of the seventh embodiment. In the self-propelled cleaner 151" of this modification, in addition to the microbubble generation pump 1, a vibrator 158 is provided.

[0137] Referring to FIG. 25, in the cleaner 151” of this modification example, a vibrator 158 is provided as an ultrasonic generator at the bottom or lower part of the storage container 155. When the vibrator 158 vibrates ultrasonically, the ultrasonic vibration is transmitted to the internal cleaning liquid CL through the storage container 155, causing cavitation to occur in the cleaning liquid CL and generating fine bubbles. When the cleaning liquid CL containing the fine bubbles flows into the fine bubble generation pump 1, the fine bubbles in the cleaning liquid CL are further subdivided. In addition, as described above, fine air bubbles are further generated in the cleaning liquid CL, and the cleaning liquid CL containing these fine bubbles is ejected onto the floor, window, etc. through the discharge part 4 or the sprayer 156. Therefore, the amount of fine bubbles contained in the cleaning liquid CL can be further increased, and the fine bubbles can be subdivided, so that the cleaning power can be further improved. In this modification example, a configuration in which the vibrator 158 is provided in the self-propelled cleaner 151’ is adopted. However, a configuration in which the vibrator 158 is provided in the self-propelled cleaner 151 may also be adopted, and in this case, a configuration without the fine bubble generation pump 1 may be used. Also in this modification example, in addition to the said configuration, a configuration may be adopted that includes a suction means for sucking the liquid such as the cleaning liquid CL together with the dirt lifted by the cleaning liquid CL or the pad 153, etc.

[0138] FIG. 26 shows the configuration of a further modification example of the seventh embodiment. The self-propelled cleaner 151 of this modification example III is configured such that an impeller 165 for stirring the cleaning liquid CL is provided in the storage container 155, and the impeller 165 is rotated by the driving force of the driving part provided in the suction unit 161.

[0139] Referring to FIG. 26, reference numeral 161 denotes a suction unit that sucks up the liquid such as the cleaning liquid CL together with the dirt lifted by the cleaning liquid CL, the pad 153, etc. The suction unit 161 of this modification mainly includes a suction mechanism 162 that sucks the liquid, a storage container 163 that stores the liquid sucked by the suction mechanism, and a filter 164 that is provided in the flow path of the liquid led from the suction mechanism 162 to the storage container 163 and performs physical filtration to filter out substances such as dust and dirt contained in the liquid when the liquid passes through.

[0140] Reference numeral 165 denotes an impeller disposed so as to be immersed in the cleaning liquid CL in the storage container 155. The impeller 165 stirs the cleaning liquid CL by rotating to generate fine bubbles and has a function as a means for generating fine bubbles. Further, reference numeral 166 denotes a shaft portion that serves as the rotation axis of the impeller 165 and extends rearward from the center of the rear surface of the impeller 165. And the shaft portion 166 of this modification is connected to the drive transmission path of the drive unit such as a fan motor of the suction mechanism 162, and power is transmitted to the impeller 165 via the shaft portion 166 when the suction mechanism 162 is driven, so that the impeller 165 rotates. The cleaner 151 of this modification III In this case, when the ejection unit 152 is driven, the suction unit 161 is also driven, the impeller 165 rotates to stir the cleaning liquid CL, and fine bubbles are generated in the cleaning liquid CL. Then, when the spray pump 157 is driven, the cleaning liquid CL containing fine bubbles of air flows from the storage container 159 into the sprayer 156 via the spray pump 157 and is ejected from the sprayer 156 onto the floor, window, etc. Even with such a configuration, the cleaner 151 III can spray the cleaning liquid CL containing fine bubbles of air.

[0141] Note that the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various modifications can be made without departing from the spirit of the present invention. For example, the first to seventh embodiments and the modifications may be combined. Also, the configurations and shapes of the respective parts of the first to seventh embodiments and the modifications are not limited to those shown in the drawings and can be changed as appropriate.

Description of Reference Numerals

[0142] 1,1” Microbubble generation pump 2 Pump body 3,3” Suction part 4 Discharge part 12 Reduction part (microbubble generation means) 13 Enlargement part (microbubble generation means) 14 Fine flow path part (microbubble generation means) 15-1 Gas inlet 16,16” Cylindrical part (mixing chamber) 17,17” Suction port (liquid inlet) 71 Skin care device 74 Tank 83 Water tank 131 Coffee maker 134 Water tank (accommodation part) 141 Cleaning device 143 Cleaning tank 151 Vacuum cleaner 155 Storage container 156 Sprayer (spraying means) C Coffee CL Cleaning liquid P Coffee powder W Water (liquid)

Claims

1. A pump body; a suction section that mixes gas and liquid to form a mixed fluid and guides the mixed fluid to the pump body; a discharge portion that discharges the mixed fluid delivered from the pump body, The suction section is a mixing chamber for mixing the gas and the liquid; a gas inlet for the gas to flow in; a liquid inlet for receiving the liquid; and a microbubble generating means for generating microbubbles in the liquid passing through the microbubble generating means. By driving the pump body, a negative pressure is created in the mixing chamber, 2. A fine-bubble generating pump, comprising: a fine-bubble generating means disposed between the liquid inlet and the mixing chamber.

2. 2. The fine-bubble generating pump according to claim 1, wherein the pressure in the mixing chamber becomes −30 kPa or less by driving the pump body.

3. The fine bubble generating means is a contracted portion whose cross-sectional area is reduced from the upstream side to the downstream side, an expanded portion whose cross-sectional area is increased from the upstream side to the downstream side, and a thin flow path portion formed between the contracted portion and the expanded portion, 2. The fine-bubble generating pump according to claim 1, wherein the area of ​​the gas inlet is equal to or less than half the cross-sectional area of ​​the narrow flow passage portion.

4. A pump body; a suction section that mixes gas and liquid to form a mixed fluid and guides the mixed fluid to the pump body; a discharge portion that discharges the mixed fluid delivered from the pump body, The suction section is a mixing chamber for mixing the gas and the liquid; a gas flow path for supplying the gas from a gas source; a liquid flow path for supplying the liquid from a supply source; and a microbubble generating means for generating microbubbles in the liquid passing through the microbubble generating means. By driving the pump body, a negative pressure is created in the mixing chamber, 2. A fine-bubble generating pump, comprising: a mixing chamber provided upstream of the fine-bubble generating means.

5. The fine bubble generating means is 5. The fine-bubble generating pump according to claim 4, further comprising: a contraction section whose cross-sectional area contracts from the upstream side to the downstream side; an expansion section whose cross-sectional area expands from the upstream side to the downstream side; and a thin flow path section formed between the contraction section and the expansion section.

6. 6. The fine-bubble generating pump according to claim 5, wherein a cross-sectional area of ​​the gas flow passage is 1 / 3 or less of a cross-sectional area of ​​the narrow flow passage portion.

7. 7. The fine bubble generating pump according to claim 1, which is a diaphragm pump.

8. A fine bubble generating pump according to any one of claims 1 to 6, A tank for storing the liquid, The skin care device, wherein the fine bubble generating pump sucks the liquid from the tank.

9. A fine bubble generating pump according to any one of claims 1 to 6 is provided, The aeration device is characterized in that the fine bubble generating pump sucks the liquid from a water tank and discharges the mixed fluid containing fine air bubbles as the gas.

10. A fine bubble generating pump according to any one of claims 1 to 6, A container for containing water as a liquid for extracting coffee from coffee powder, The coffee maker is characterized in that the fine bubble generating pump sucks the water from the storage section and discharges the mixed fluid containing fine air bubbles as the gas into the storage section.

11. A fine bubble generating pump according to any one of claims 1 to 6, a cleaning tank into which at least a part of the device to be cleaned can be inserted and which can store a predetermined amount of the mixed fluid; The cleaning device is characterized in that the fine bubble generating pump discharges the mixed fluid containing fine air bubbles as the gas into the cleaning tank.

12. A fine bubble generating pump according to any one of claims 1 to 6, A storage container for storing the liquid; and a jetting means for jetting the mixed fluid, The self-propelled vacuum cleaner is characterized in that the fine bubble generating pump sucks the liquid from the storage container.

Images