Discharge structure

Abstract

To provide a discharge structure capable of discharging fluid efficiently.SOLUTION: A discharge structure comprises: a first flow path that allows fluid to flow upward; a second flow path that discharges the fluid having flowed through the first flow path to a lateral side, and has a downward gradient toward the lateral side; and a throttle part that is provided at a boundary between the first flow path and the second flow path, and has a smaller cross-sectional area than the first flow path and the second flow path.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a discharge structure.

Background Art

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses a configuration in which treated water is extracted from an aquarium using an air lift pump.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] Here, for example, a discharge structure that can efficiently discharge the fluid lifted using an air lift pump or the like is desired.

[0005] An object of the present disclosure is to provide a discharge structure capable of efficiently discharging a fluid.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] The discharge structure of the present disclosure includes a first flow path that flows the fluid upward, a second flow path that discharges the fluid flowing through the first flow path laterally and has a downward gradient in the lateral direction, and a throttle portion provided at a boundary between the first flow path and the second flow path and having a smaller cross-sectional area than the first flow path and the second flow path.

Effects of the Invention

[0007] In the present disclosure, a discharge structure capable of efficiently discharging a fluid can be provided.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0008]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 4

Figure 5

Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

[0009] An example of an embodiment of the present disclosure will be described below with reference to the drawings. The configuration of the embodiment is not limited to the configuration shown in the drawings. In addition, components denoted by the same reference numerals in each drawing mean the same or similar components. The drawings used in the following description are all schematic, and the dimensional relationships between the elements shown in the drawings, the ratios of the elements, etc. do not necessarily match the actual ones. Also, the dimensional relationships between the elements and the ratios of the elements do not necessarily match even between multiple drawings.

[0010] Note that the arrow UP shown in the figure indicates the upper side (vertically upward) of the configuration according to the embodiment, and the arrow DO indicates the lower side (vertically downward) of the configuration according to the embodiment. Also, the arrow LH shown in the figure indicates the left side of the configuration according to the embodiment, and the arrow RH indicates the right side of the configuration according to the embodiment. These directions are defined for convenience of explanation, and the configuration of the present disclosure is not limited to these directions.

[0011] <Discharge structure 10 according to the first embodiment> The discharge structure 10 according to the present embodiment will be described. FIG. 1 is a side sectional view showing the discharge structure 10 according to the present embodiment.

[0012] The discharge structure 10 is a structure for discharging water (an example of a fluid) to be discharged. Specifically, the discharge structure 10 is a structure for discharging the water lifted by the air lift pump 100. In other words, the discharge structure 10 can also be said to be a structure for extracting water from the pipe 102 (described later) of the air lift pump 100.

[0013] In the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 1, the discharge structure 10 includes a connection part 50, a first pipe 30, a first flow path 31, a second pipe 20, a second flow path 22, a throttle part 40, and a receiving part 60. Hereinafter, each part of the air lift pump 100 and the discharge structure 10 will be described.

[0014] <Air lift pump 100> As shown in FIG. 1, the air lift pump 100 has a pipe 102 in which water can rise inside. This pipe 102 is a pipe that opens on both sides in the axial direction (that is, the vertical direction). For example, its lower part is arranged underwater.

[0015] And in the air lift pump 100, for example, air is sent into the inside of the lower part of the pipe 102 through an air supply pipe (not shown) connected to the lower part of the pipe 102, causing a specific gravity difference of water inside and outside the pipe 102. Thereby, water flows in from the lower end of the pipe 102, the water inside the pipe 102 is pushed up, and the water rises inside the pipe 102. Therefore, in the air lift pump 100, water containing air rises.

[0016] Note that the device for sending water to the inlet 32 (described later) of the discharge structure 10 is not limited to the air lift pump 100, and it may be a pump that sends water with other driving forces, and various devices can be used.

[0017] <Connection part 50> As shown in FIG. 1, the connection part 50 is a structural part to which the pipe 102 of the air lift pump 100 is connected. In the present embodiment, the connection part 50 is composed of a cylindrical body (for example, a substantially cylindrical shape). This connection part 50 has a connection port 52 that opens downward. In the connection part 50, the upper end part of the pipe 102 of the air lift pump 100 is inserted into the inside from the connection port 52, and thus is connected to the pipe 102.

[0018] <First pipe 30 and first flow path 31> The first pipe 30 shown in FIG. 1 is composed of a pipe formed in a cylindrical shape (for example, a substantially cylindrical shape). The first pipe 30 extends upward from the upper end of the connection part 50.

[0019] The first flow path 31 is a flow path formed inside the first pipe 30. This first flow path 31 has an inlet 32 for allowing the fluid lifted by the air lift pump 100 to flow in at the upstream end (specifically, the lower end). The inlet 32 faces the opening 104 of the pipe 102 in the connection state with respect to the connection part 50. In the first flow path 31, the water flowing in from the opening 104 of the pipe 102 through the inlet 32 flows upward.

[0020] Also, in a side sectional view, the first flow path 31 has a straight shape in which the side wall 33 on the discharge side (the right side in FIG. 1) of the second flow path 22 extends upward. In a side sectional view, the side wall 34 on the side opposite to the discharge side of the second flow path 22 (the left side in FIG. 1) of the first flow path 31 is curved toward the discharge side (the right side in FIG. 1) of the second flow path 22.

[0021] As a result, the cross-sectional area of the first flow path 31 gradually decreases toward the throttle part 40 (that is, the downstream side (the upper side)). Note that the cross-sectional area of each part from the inlet 32 to the throttle part 40 in the first flow path 31 is smaller than the cross-sectional area in the connection part 50.

[0022] <Second pipe 20 and second flow path 22> The second pipe 20 shown in FIG. 1 is composed of a pipe formed in a cylindrical shape (for example, a substantially cylindrical shape). The second pipe 20 extends from the upper end of the first pipe 30 toward the side (the right side in FIG. 1).

[0023] The second flow path 22 is a flow path formed inside the second pipe 20. This second flow path 22 has a discharge port 24 at its downstream end (specifically, the right end in FIG. 1). The discharge port 24 opens toward the side (the right side in FIG. 1). In the second flow path 22, the water flowing through the first flow path 31 is made to flow toward the discharge port 24, and the water is discharged from the discharge port 24.

[0024] Also, the second flow path 22 has a downward slope toward the side (the right side in FIG. 1). In the second flow path 22, in a side cross-sectional view (see FIG. 1), the upper wall 25 is curved toward the side (the right side in FIG. 1). In the second flow path 22, the bottom wall 26 is inclined so as to have a downward slope toward the side (the right side in FIG. 1). As a result, the cross-sectional area of the second flow path 22 gradually increases from the throttle portion 40 toward the downstream side (the right side).

[0025] <Throttle portion 40> The throttle portion 40 is provided at the boundary between the first flow path 31 and the second flow path 22. The throttle portion 40 has a smaller cross-sectional area than the first flow path 31 and the second flow path 22. Therefore, in the flow path including the first flow path 31, the throttle portion 40, and the second flow path 22, the cross-sectional area of the flow path is minimized at the throttle portion 40.

[0026] The ratio of the cross-sectional area of the throttle portion 40 to the cross-sectional area of the inlet 32 of the first flow path 31 is set, for example, in the range of 50% or more and 70% or less. Here, since air is compressible compared to water, when the amount of air contained in the water is large, the water flowing through the throttle portion 40 is less likely to receive resistance even if the throttle portion 40 is made smaller than when the amount of air contained in the water is small. For this reason, the larger the amount of air contained in the water, the smaller the throttle portion 40 can be made. For example, when the air contained in the water is 50% or more, the above ratio of the cross-sectional area of the throttle portion 40 can be set, for example, to 50% or less (for example, 30% or more and 50% or less).

[0027] <Receiving part 60> The receiving part 60 is a structural part that receives the water discharged from the discharge port 24 of the second flow path 22. Specifically, the receiving part 60 has a container 63 having a peripheral wall 62 and a bottom wall 64, and a discharge pipe 66.

[0028] The bottom wall 64 is formed in a substantially circular plate shape in a plan view. The lower end of the connecting part 50 is connected to the central part of the bottom wall 64.

[0029] The peripheral wall 62 surrounds the first pipe 30 (first flow path 31), the second pipe 20 (second flow path 22), the throttle part 40, and the connecting part 50, and is formed in a cylindrical shape with the vertical direction as the axial direction. The lower end of the peripheral wall 62 is connected to the outer periphery of the bottom wall 64. The upper end of the peripheral wall 62 protrudes upward from the upper end of the second pipe 20.

[0030] The discharge pipe 66 is provided on the bottom wall 64 and communicates with the inside of the container 63. The discharge pipe 66 is arranged on the discharge port 24 side (the right side in FIG. 1) of the container 63.

[0031] In the receiving part 60, the water discharged from the second flow path 22 through the discharge port 24 is temporarily stored in the container 63. Then, the water temporarily stored in the container 63 is discharged outside the container 63 through the discharge pipe 66.

[0032] <Supplement of the discharge structure 10> In the discharge structure 10, for example, the connecting part 50, the first pipe 30, the second pipe 20, and the receiving part 60 are integrally formed. Further, the discharge structure 10 is formed of a resin material, a metal material, or other materials.

[0033] The discharge structure 10 can be configured as a part of, for example, a water circulation system that circulates water. Examples of the water circulation system include a system that purifies the wastewater used in a household while circulating it and makes it reusable in the household.

[0034] <Function of the discharge structure 10> In the discharge structure 10, the throttle portion 40 provided at the boundary between the first flow path 31 and the second flow path 22 has a smaller cross-sectional area than the first flow path 31 and the second flow path 22.

[0035] As a result, the water that has risen by the air lift pump 100 and flowed in from the inlet 32 rises to the throttle portion 40 at a low water pressure. Then, the water that has risen to the throttle portion 40 flows laterally by the second flow path 22 having a downward gradient, and is discharged from the second flow path 22 through the discharge port 24 into the container 63.

[0036] In this way, the water that has risen by the air lift pump 100 and flowed in from the inlet 32 rises to the throttle portion 40 because the flow velocity increases due to the throttle portion 40, and the water that has risen to the throttle portion 40 flows laterally due to the downward gradient of the second flow path 22, so that water can be discharged efficiently.

[0037] Further, in the discharge structure 10, since the cross-sectional area of the first flow path 31 is reduced toward the throttle portion 40, water flows smoothly through the first flow path 31 toward the throttle portion 40. As a result, in the discharge structure 10, water can be discharged efficiently.

[0038] Further, in the discharge structure 10, since the cross-sectional area of the second flow path 22 is enlarged from the throttle portion 40 toward the downstream side, water flows smoothly through the second flow path 22 from the throttle portion 40 toward the downstream. As a result, in the discharge structure 10, water can be discharged efficiently.

[0039] As described above, since the discharge structure 10 can discharge water efficiently, the water lifted by the air lift pump 100 through the pipe 102 can be taken out efficiently, and the water lifted by the pipe 102 is suppressed from flowing down the pipe 102 and returning.

[0040] <Modification Example of Discharge Structure 10> In the discharge structure 10, the fluid to be discharged was water, but it is not limited to this. For example, the fluid of the present disclosure may be a chemical solution or the like, and any fluid that can flow through the flow path composed of the first flow path 31, the second flow path 22, and the throttle portion 40 is acceptable. Further, the fluid of the present disclosure may be drainage containing foreign matters such as solids. Furthermore, the fluid of the present disclosure may be other liquids including beverages such as juice with particles and liquid cosmetics.

[0041] Note that it is possible to set the cross-sectional areas of the first flow path 31, the second flow path 22, and the throttle portion 40 according to the viscosity of the fluid to be discharged, the presence or absence of foreign matters in the fluid, and the like.

[0042] In the discharge structure 10, the cross-sectional area of the first flow path 31 gradually decreases toward the throttle portion 40, but it is not limited to this. The cross-sectional area of the first flow path 31 may be constant, for example, along the flow direction of water. Also, the cross-sectional area of the first flow path 31 may be gradually reduced, for example. If the cross-sectional area of the throttle portion 40 is smaller than that of the first flow path 31, the cross-sectional area of the first flow path 31 is irrelevant.

[0043] In the discharge structure 10, the cross-sectional area of the second flow path 22 gradually increases downstream from the throttle portion 40, but it is not limited to this. The cross-sectional area of the second flow path 22 may be constant, for example, along the flow direction of water. Also, the cross-sectional area of the second flow path 22 may be gradually enlarged, for example. If the cross-sectional area of the throttle portion 40 is smaller than that of the second flow path 22, the cross-sectional area of the second flow path 22 is irrelevant.

[0044] The discharge structure 10 includes the connection portion 50, the first pipe 30, the first flow path 31, the second pipe 20, the second flow path 22, the throttle portion 40, and the receiving portion 60, but it is not limited to this. The discharge structure 10 may be a structure that does not include at least one of the connection portion 50 and the receiving portion 60, for example. As the discharge structure of the present disclosure, a structure including at least a first flow path, a second flow path, and a throttle portion may be sufficient.

[0045] In the discharge structure 10, the connection part 50, the first pipe 30, the second pipe 20, and the receiving part 60 were integrally formed, but it is not limited to this. As the discharge structure of the present disclosure, each part may be formed separately as appropriate.

[0046] <Discharge structure 200 according to the second embodiment> The discharge structure 200 according to the second embodiment will be described. FIGS. 2 and 3 are cross-sectional views showing the discharge structure 200 according to the present embodiment. FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the discharge structure 200 according to the present embodiment as viewed from the upper side. FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the discharge structure 200 according to the present embodiment as viewed from the lower side. In the following description, components having the same functions as those of the discharge structure 10 are denoted by the same reference numerals, and the description thereof will be omitted as appropriate.

[0047] In the discharge structure 10 (see FIG. 1), the second flow path 22 discharges water in one lateral direction (rightward in FIG. 1), whereas in the discharge structure 200 (see FIG. 2), the second flow path 22 is configured to discharge water in a plurality of lateral directions (directions including rightward and leftward in FIG. 2). In the present embodiment, in the discharge structure 200, the second flow path 22 discharges water so as to spread in the circumferential direction of the pipe 102 in a plan view (see FIG. 4). Specifically, the second flow path 22 discharges water in a range of 360 degrees in the circumferential direction of the pipe 102. The dashed-dotted arrows shown in FIGS. 2 and 4 indicate a part of the discharge direction in the second flow path 22.

[0048] In the discharge structure 200, the first flow path 31, the second flow path 22, and the throttle part 40 are provided in a range of 360 degrees along the circumferential direction with respect to the axis CA of the pipe 102. Therefore, the first flow path 31, the second flow path 22, and the throttle part 40 are each formed in a substantially cylindrical shape along the circumferential direction with respect to the axis CA as a whole.

[0049] Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 3, the discharge structure 200 has a frustoconical portion 80 formed in a frustoconical shape and having a circular hole 81 in the central portion, and an upper portion 82 disposed above the frustoconical portion 80. As shown in FIG. 4, the upper portion 82 is formed in a circular shape in plan view. In the upper portion 82, a central portion 84 protrudes downward. This central portion 84 is supported by a partition wall 86.

[0050] As shown in FIG. 5, a plurality (for example, eight) of the partition walls 86 are arranged along the circumferential direction. Each of the plurality of partition walls 86 connects the central portion 84 from the inner wall of the circular hole 81 of the frustoconical portion 80. Thereby, the upper portion 82 is supported by the frustoconical portion 80 via the partition wall 86. The partition wall 86 divides the first flow path 31 into a plurality (for example, eight) in the circumferential direction. In the discharge structure 200, the peripheral wall 62 of the container 63 is reduced in diameter at the upper portion.

[0051] In the discharge structure 200, the water that has risen by the air lift pump 100 and flows in from the inlet 32 rises to the throttle portion 40 through the first flow path 31. Since the first flow path 31 and the throttle portion 40 are formed in a cylindrical shape along the circumferential direction with respect to the axis CA, the water rises in a cylindrical state.

[0052] Then, the water that has risen to the throttle portion 40 is discharged into the container 63 through the discharge port 24 in a plurality of lateral directions (directions including the right and left directions in FIG. 2) by the second flow path 22 having a downward gradient. Specifically, the second flow path 22 discharges water in a range of 360 degrees in the circumferential direction of the pipe 102.

[0053] In this way, since the second flow path 22 of the discharge structure 200 discharges water in a plurality of lateral directions (directions including the right and left directions in FIG. 2), specifically, in a range of 360 degrees in the circumferential direction of the pipe 102, water can be discharged more efficiently than in the case of discharging in one direction.

[0054] <Modification example of the discharge structure 200> Also in the discharge structure 200, it is possible to appropriately adopt the above-described modification example in the discharge structure 10.

[0055] Also, in the discharge structure 200, in addition to or instead of setting the cross-sectional areas of the first flow path 31, the second flow path 22, and the throttle portion 40 according to the viscosity of the fluid to be discharged and the presence or absence of foreign matter in the fluid, it is possible to set the number of partition walls 86.

[0056] In the discharge structure 200, the upper portion 82 was supported by the frustum portion 80 via the partition wall 86, but it is not limited to this. The upper portion 82 may be connected to the peripheral wall 62 of the container 63 and supported by the peripheral wall 62, for example. According to this configuration, it is possible to adopt a configuration without the partition wall 86.

[0057] <Supplementary Note> (Supplementary Note 1) A first flow path for flowing the fluid upward, A second flow path that discharges the fluid flowing through the first flow path laterally and has a downward gradient in the lateral direction, A throttle portion provided at the boundary between the first flow path and the second flow path and having a smaller cross-sectional area than the first flow path and the second flow path, A discharge structure including the above. (Supplementary Note 2) The cross-sectional area of the first flow path is reduced toward the throttle portion. The discharge structure according to Supplementary Note 1. (Supplementary Note 3) The cross-sectional area of the second flow path is enlarged downstream from the throttle portion. The discharge structure according to Supplementary Note 1 or 2. (Supplementary Note 4) The second flow path discharges the fluid flowing through the first flow path toward a plurality of the lateral sides. The discharge structure according to any one of Supplementary Notes 1 to 3. (Supplementary Note 5) The first flow path has an inlet for allowing the ascended fluid to flow in, and the fluid flowing in through the inlet flows upward. The discharge structure according to any one of Supplementary Notes 1 to 4.

Explanation of Reference Numerals

[0058] 10. 200 discharge structure 22. Second flow path 31. First flow path 32. Inlet 40. Throttle part

Claims

1. a first flow path for flowing a fluid upward, a second flow path that discharges the fluid flowing through the first flow path laterally and has a downward gradient in the lateral direction, a throttle portion provided at a boundary between the first flow path and the second flow path and having a smaller cross-sectional area than the first flow path and the second flow path, and a discharge structure including the same.

2. The first flow path has a reduced cross-sectional area toward the throttle portion. The discharge structure according to Claim 1.

3. The second flow path has an enlarged cross-sectional area downstream from the throttle portion. The discharge structure according to Claim 1.

4. The second flow path discharges the fluid flowing through the first flow path toward a plurality of the lateral sides. The discharge structure according to Claim 1.

5. The first flow path has an inlet for allowing the lifted fluid to flow in, and flows the fluid flowing in through the inlet upward. The discharge structure according to Claim 1.

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