Foam generation unit

Abstract

To provide a foam generation unit capable of conveying cleaning liquid while maintaining a liquid state and capable of foam cleaning with a simple configuration.SOLUTION: A foam generation unit includes: a discharge part having a discharge port that discharges cleaning liquid in a direction along one axis; and a porous part facing the discharge port and extending along a surface crossing with the one axis. The foam generation unit is configured such that the cleaning liquid discharged from the discharge port collides with the porous part while maintaining a liquid state. The foam generation unit can convey the cleaning liquid while maintaining a liquid state and can perform foam cleaning with a simple configuration.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 4

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a foam generating device for generating foam from a cleaning liquid. [Background technology]

[0002] In food handling spaces such as food processing rooms in supermarkets, floors must be washed on a daily basis for hygiene reasons. Foam washing is a well-known floor cleaning method, in which foam generated by foaming a cleaning solution (hereinafter also referred to as "cleaning foam") is sprayed onto the floor, left for a while, and then rinsed with water. Foam washing requires minimal manual labor and can clean a wide area.

[0003] For example, in the foam cleaning described in Patent Document 1, cleaning foam is transported through a pipe arranged along the floor surface and is discharged onto the floor from multiple outlets provided at intervals along the longitudinal direction of the pipe. The cleaning foam discharged onto the floor then spreads along the floor surface, which gently slopes toward the drain, allowing the entire floor to be covered with cleaning foam.

[0004] Also, as a foam generating device for generating foam from cleaning liquid, for example, one having a gas-liquid mixing chamber for mixing cleaning liquid with air is known (see, for example, Patent Document 2). In such a foam generating device, cleaning foam can be generated by passing the mixture of cleaning liquid and air mixed in the gas-liquid mixing chamber through a mesh member to foam it. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0005] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2005-199257 [Patent Document 2] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 7-275173 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0006] In foam cleaning systems that transport cleaning foam through piping, it is difficult to apply pressure for transportation, and the pressure applied to the cleaning foam decreases the further downstream in the piping, so the amount of cleaning foam discharged from the discharge port tends to decrease the further downstream in the piping.For this reason, in foam cleaning systems with this configuration, even if the amount of cleaning foam discharged onto the floor is sufficient on the upstream side of the piping, it is likely to be insufficient on the downstream side of the piping.

[0007] Furthermore, while high-performance foam cleaning systems that can be fully automated have already been realized, the introduction costs increase as the performance improves. Therefore, a cost-effective foam cleaning system that offers high cleaning effectiveness and ease of use while keeping introduction costs down with a simple configuration is thought to meet market needs.

[0008] An object of the present invention is to provide a foam generating unit and a foam generating device that can transport cleaning liquid in liquid form and that can perform foam cleaning with a simple configuration. [Means for solving the problem]

[0009] A foam generation unit according to one embodiment of the present invention comprises an outlet portion having an outlet for ejecting cleaning liquid in a direction along a single axis, and a porous portion facing the outlet portion and extending along a plane intersecting the single axis. The foam generating unit is configured so that the cleaning liquid discharged from the discharge port collides with the porous portion while remaining in liquid form.

[0010] A foam generating device according to one embodiment of the present invention comprises a pipe having a flow path through which cleaning liquid is transported, a plurality of discharge sections arranged at intervals along the flow path and having discharge ports that discharge cleaning liquid in a direction along a single axis, and a porous section facing the discharge ports of the plurality of discharge sections and extending along a plane that intersects with the single axis. The outlets of the plurality of outlet portions are each in communication with the flow path. The foam generating device is configured so that the cleaning liquid discharged from the discharge ports of the plurality of discharge units collides with the porous unit in a liquid state. [Effects of the Invention]

[0011] According to the foam generating device of the present invention, it is possible to provide a foam generating unit and a foam generating device that can transport cleaning liquid in liquid form and that can perform foam cleaning with a simple configuration. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0012] [Figure 1] 1 is a diagram showing an example of a foam washing system using a foam generating device according to one embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a partial perspective view showing the overall configuration of the foam generating device. [Figure 3] FIG. 2 is an enlarged partial perspective view showing the discharge portion of the foam generating device and its vicinity. [Figure 4] 10A and 10B are diagrams showing a state in which cleaning liquid is being discharged from the discharge portion of the foam generating device. [Figure 5] FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the foam generating device taken along line AA' in FIG. 3. [Figure 6] FIG. [Figure 7] 6 is a cross-sectional view of the discharge portion taken along line BB' in FIG. 5. [Figure 8] 10A and 10B are diagrams showing another embodiment of the foam generating device. [Figure 9] 10A and 10B are diagrams showing another embodiment of the foam generating device. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0013] [Introduction] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described. The present invention is not limited to the embodiments described below, and various modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. In the drawings, mutually orthogonal X-, Y-, and Z-axes are shown as appropriate. The X-, Y-, and Z-axes are common to all drawings. In each drawing, the X-axis extends horizontally from left to right, the Y-axis extends horizontally from front to back, and the Z-axis extends vertically from top to bottom.

[0014] [Foam cleaning system] The foam generating device 1 according to this embodiment is configured to be usable for foam washing of floors in a target space. The target space for foam washing using the foam generating device 1 is not limited to a specific space, but examples include food processing rooms (prepared food rooms, meat processing rooms, fish processing rooms, etc.) in supermarkets, kitchens in restaurants, food factories, and other spaces where food and ingredients are mainly handled.

[0015] FIG. 1 shows an example of the configuration of a foam cleaning system using a foam generating device 1. The space (room) shown in FIG. 1 is provided with a floor F, walls W, and a drain D. In FIG. 1, the entire room is shown by omitting the ceiling and the two adjacent walls W in the foreground. A drain D is provided in the floor F in the center between a pair of opposing walls W, and the drain D divides the floor F into two areas. In addition, the floor F has an inclined surface that slopes gently downward from each wall W toward the drain D in each area on both sides of the drain D.

[0016] The foam cleaning system shown in Fig. 1 includes two foam generating devices 1. The two foam generating devices 1 are installed adjacent to a pair of walls W that face each other across a drain D, and are configured to foam the cleaning liquid in an area along the pair of walls W to generate foam (hereinafter also referred to as "cleaning foam") and supply the foam to the floor F. The cleaning foam supplied to the floor F spreads from the wall W side along the slope of the floor F toward the drain D, allowing the floor F to be covered with cleaning foam over a wide area.

[0017] By keeping the floor F covered with cleaning foam for a predetermined time, dirt adhering to the floor F can be dissolved or lifted. After that, each foam generating device 1 supplies water to the floor F in an area along the pair of walls W. As a result, the water flows along the slope of the floor F from the wall W side to the drain groove D together with the cleaning foam, removing the cleaning foam from the floor F and completing the foam cleaning. Note that the drain section for draining the water together with the cleaning foam is not limited to the drain groove D continuous in one direction as shown in FIG. 1, but may be composed of, for example, multiple drain boxes provided at intervals.

[0018] [Foam generator 1] The foam generating device 1 has a control unit 10, piping 20, a plurality of discharge units 30, a porous unit 40, and a fixed unit 50. Fig. 2 shows the overall configuration of the foam generating device 1, omitting the porous unit 40 and the fixed unit 50. Fig. 3 shows an enlarged view of one of the plurality of discharge units 30 in the foam generating device 1 and its vicinity. The foam generating device 1 is connected to a cleaning liquid supply source (a container such as a bottle) and a water supply source (a container such as a water pipe or a tank) in the control unit 10, and is configured to be able to receive a supply of cleaning liquid and water.

[0019] The control unit 10 is connected to the piping 20 and is configured to be capable of switching between a state in which a cleaning liquid is supplied to the piping 20, a state in which water is supplied, and a state in which neither the cleaning liquid nor water is supplied. The control unit 10 can be configured using known technology that uses various components such as valves. The control unit 10 also has an operation unit 11 that receives the switching operation. The operation unit 11 can be configured using known technology that uses buttons, knobs, and the like. For example, the foam generating device 1 can be configured so that the above switching operation is performed using the knob of the operation unit 11, the flow rate of the cleaning liquid is adjusted by a tip that changes the diameter of the orifice that draws the cleaning liquid, and the flow rate of water is adjusted by a pressure reducing valve provided on the upstream side of the control unit 10.

[0020] The piping 20 includes a first piping 21 and a second piping 22. The first piping 21 and the second piping 22 are formed of tubular members such as pipes and hoses. The first piping 21 and the second piping 22 form a continuous flow path P therein. The upper end of the first piping 21 is connected to the control unit 10 and extends downward from the control unit 10. One end of the second piping 22 is connected to the lower end of the first piping 21 and extends from the first piping 21 to the other end along the X-axis direction. The second piping 22 is preferably about 100 mm high from the floor F. The other end of the second piping 22 is closed, meaning that the flow path P terminates at the other end of the second piping 22. The dimension of the second piping 22 in the X-axis direction can be determined depending on the shape and layout of the space in which it is installed.

[0021] The multiple discharge units 30 all have the same configuration and are provided in the second pipe 22. The multiple discharge units 30 are arranged at intervals along the X-axis direction, which is the longitudinal direction of the second pipe 22. The multiple discharge units 30 can be provided at equal intervals along the X-axis direction, for example, at a ratio of three discharge units 30 per meter. Each discharge unit 30 is provided with an outlet 31. The outlet 31 of each of the multiple discharge units 30 is oriented so that it faces obliquely downward in the Z-axis direction from the front in the Y-axis direction (the front side of the paper). Each discharge unit 30 penetrates the second pipe 22 so that its rear end is exposed in the flow path P of the second pipe 22, and forms a flow path Q for connecting the outlet 31 to the flow path P of the second pipe 22.

[0022] FIG. 3 shows a discharge axis S, which is an axis that determines the discharge direction of the cleaning liquid from the discharge port 31 in the discharge unit 30. The discharge axis S of the discharge unit 30 is defined as an axis along the flow direction of the cleaning liquid immediately before being discharged from the discharge port 31 in the flow path Q. In the foam generating device 1, the discharge axis S of the discharge unit 30 is perpendicular to the X-axis, which is the extension direction of the second pipe 22, and is inclined downward in the Z-axis direction with respect to the Y-axis. In the foam generating device 1, the angle formed between the discharge axis S of the discharge unit 30 and the Y-axis is preferably between 0 degrees and 90 degrees, and more preferably between 45 degrees and 90 degrees. In the discharge unit 30, the cleaning liquid supplied from the flow path P of the second pipe 22 to the flow path Q is discharged obliquely downward from the discharge port 31.

[0023] The porous portion 40 is in the shape of a flat plate extending along a plane perpendicular to the discharge axis S of the discharge portion 30 (a plane tilted in the Z-axis direction with respect to the XZ plane). The porous portion 40 has a structure in which openings penetrating in the direction of the discharge axis S of the discharge portion 30 are arranged two-dimensionally and continuously. The porous portion 40 may be any member having such a porous structure, but is typically a mesh member formed by two-dimensionally weaving linear members made of metal or the like. The porous portion 40 is provided diagonally below the discharge portion 30 so as to face the discharge outlet 31 of the discharge portion 30 in the direction of the discharge axis S.

[0024] In this way, in the foam generating device 1, a porous portion 40 is provided for each discharge portion 30, and each corresponding discharge portion 30 and porous portion 40 constitutes a foam generating unit for generating cleaning foam from the cleaning liquid. In other words, the foam generating device 1 has the same number of foam generating units as the discharge portions 30, and each foam generating unit generates cleaning foam.

[0025] The fixing portion 50 is configured as a fixing jig for fixing the porous portion 40 to the second pipe 22. The fixing portion 50 has a pair of pipe supports 51 and a holding member 52. The pair of pipe supports 51 are fixed to the second pipe 22 by wrapping around and gripping the second pipe 22 at positions spaced apart on both sides in the X-axis direction with respect to each discharge portion 30. The holding member 52 has a frame portion 52a that holds the porous portion 40 and a pair of arm portions 52b fixed to the pair of pipe supports 51.

[0026] The frame portion 52a has an opening K that penetrates in the direction of the discharge axis S of the discharge portion 30 in a central region in the in-plane direction, and holds the periphery of the porous portion 40 arranged in the opening K. The porous portion 40 held by the frame portion 52a is open on both sides in the direction of the discharge axis S at the opening K. The pair of arm portions 52b extend from positions on both sides of the frame portion 52a in the X-axis direction, away from the opening K, to the pair of piping supports 51 and are fixed to the pair of piping supports 51. The pair of arm portions 52b are formed in the shape of thin plates.

[0027] In the foam generating device 1, the porous portion 40 is disposed at a distance from the discharge portion 30 so that a gap region R is formed between the discharge portion 30 and the porous portion 40. Therefore, in the foam generating device 1, as shown in Fig. 4, the cleaning liquid is supplied from the flow path P of the second pipe 22 to the flow path Q of the discharge portion 30, and the cleaning liquid discharged from the discharge port 31 collides with the porous portion 40 as a liquid without passing through an air-liquid mixing chamber that mixes the cleaning liquid with air (the cleaning liquid is not forcibly mixed with air). Note that in Fig. 4, the fixing portion 50 is omitted and the porous portion 40 is indicated by a dashed line.

[0028] In the foam generating device 1, the cleaning liquid that collides with the porous portion 40 is finely mixed with air supplied from the space surrounding the porous portion 40, thereby foaming. In other words, in the foam generating device 1, foam can be generated directly from the cleaning liquid in the porous portion 40 by causing the cleaning liquid to collide directly with the porous portion 40 without mixing air with the cleaning liquid in advance. In the foam generating device 1, the cleaning foam generated in the porous portion 40 moves forward in the Y-axis direction as a certain amount of momentum remains after being ejected, and is supplied to the floor F. Therefore, the foam generating device 1 can continuously supply cleaning foam to the floor F by continuing to eject the cleaning liquid from the outlet 31 of the ejection portion 30.

[0029] In the foam generating device 1, no member is provided to cover the periphery of the gap region R, and the gap region R is wide open without being blocked in the circumferential direction surrounding the discharge shaft S. Therefore, in the foam generating device 1, an abundant amount of air is supplied to the gap region R, which is open on the periphery, and cleaning foam is efficiently generated in the porous portion 40. In this way, the foam generating device 1 can achieve the function of continuously supplying cleaning foam to the floor F with a simple configuration that does not include components such as an air-liquid mixing chamber for mixing air with the cleaning liquid or an air supply mechanism for supplying air to be mixed with the cleaning liquid.

[0030] Furthermore, in the foam generating device 1, most of the cleaning foam generated by the cleaning liquid colliding with the porous portion 40 passes through the porous portion 40 and is supplied forward in the Y-axis direction, but some of the cleaning foam may return to the rear of the porous portion 40 in the Y-axis direction, where the discharge unit 30 is located. In this regard, in the foam generating device 1, the periphery of the gap region R behind the porous portion 40 in the Y-axis direction is open, so that the cleaning foam that returns to the rear of the porous portion 40 in the Y-axis direction falls freely due to the action of gravity, and the cleaning foam is quickly removed from the gap region R. Therefore, in the foam generating device 1, foam clogging due to cleaning foam remaining in the gap region R is unlikely to occur. In other words, in the foam generating device 1, when cleaning liquid is continuously discharged from the discharge port 31 of the discharge unit 30, cleaning foam generated in advance is unlikely to interfere with the foam generation by the cleaning liquid subsequently discharged. Therefore, the foam generating device 1 is likely to maintain its function of generating cleaning foam for a long period of time.

[0031] Furthermore, the foam generating device 1 generates cleaning foam and supplies it to the floor F in the porous portion 40. Therefore, the foam generating device 1 does not need to transport the cleaning liquid in a foam state, that is, the cleaning liquid can always be transported in a liquid state in the flow path P of the piping 20 and the flow path Q of the discharge portion 30.

[0032] Therefore, in the foam generating device 1, the pressure of the cleaning liquid in the flow path P of the piping 20 and the flow path Q of the discharge unit 30 can be made substantially uniform. Therefore, in the foam generating device 1, the amount and speed of the cleaning liquid discharged from the discharge ports 31 in all the discharge units 30 can be made substantially constant, regardless of the length of the piping 20 or the number of the discharge units 30. Therefore, in the foam generating device 1, variations in the amount and quality of foam generated from the cleaning liquid discharged from the discharge ports 31 in each discharge unit 30 are unlikely to occur.

[0033] 5 shows the dimension L of the gap region R in the direction of the discharge axis S of the discharge portion 30. The dimension L is defined as the distance in the direction of the discharge axis S between the discharge port 31 of the discharge portion 30 and the porous portion 40. In the foam generating device 1, in order to generate good quality foam from the cleaning liquid discharged from the discharge port 31 of the discharge portion 30, the dimension L of the gap region R is preferably 15 mm or more and 30 mm or less, and more preferably 20 mm or more and 25 mm or less.

[0034] Furthermore, in the foam generating device 1, the configuration of the porous portion 40, such as the diameter of each opening and the spacing between openings, can be determined so that good quality foam is generated from the cleaning liquid that collides with the porous portion 40. Furthermore, it is preferable that the porous portion 40 has a large opening ratio, and that openings of uniform shape and area are arranged over its entire surface. The porous portion 40 is not limited to a specific configuration, but is preferably made of a mesh member. In the porous portion 40 made of a mesh member, the mesh is preferably 20 mesh or more and 100 mesh or less, and the wire diameter is preferably 0.1 mm or more and 0.6 mm or less.

[0035] In the foam generating device 1, the discharge port 31 of the discharge unit 30 preferably has a configuration shown in Fig. 6. Fig. 6 shows the planar shape of the discharge port 31 of the discharge unit 30 as seen from the front in the direction of the discharge axis S, and also shows the dimension d1 in the X-axis direction and the dimension d2 in the direction of the orthogonal axis T perpendicular to the X-axis and the discharge axis S. The discharge port 31 of the discharge unit 30 shown in Fig. 6 has a flat shape in which the dimension d1 in the X-axis direction is relatively large and the dimension d2 in the direction of the orthogonal axis T is relatively small. In other words, the discharge port 31 is shaped so that the cleaning liquid to be discharged has a flat shape that is approximately parallel to the floor surface.

[0036] In the foam generating device 1, by increasing the dimension d1 in the X-axis direction of the outlet 31 of each discharge unit 30, the cleaning liquid is discharged widely in the X-axis direction from the outlet 31 of each discharge unit 30, and the range in the X-axis direction in which cleaning foam can be supplied by each discharge unit 30 can be expanded. This allows the foam generating device 1 to expand the area of the region that can be foam washed without increasing the number of discharge units 30. In the discharge unit 30, the dimension d1 of the outlet 31 is preferably 1.0 mm or more and 2.5 mm or less.

[0037] Furthermore, in the foam generating device 1, by reducing the dimension d2 in the direction of the orthogonal axis T, the range in which the cleaning liquid is discharged from the outlet 31 of each discharge part 30 is narrowed in the direction of the orthogonal axis T. As a result, in the foam generating device 1, the discharge speed of the cleaning liquid from the outlet 31 of each discharge part 30 can be increased. This is thought to contribute to improving the quality of the cleaning foam generated in the porous part 40. In the discharge part 30, the dimension d2 of the outlet 31 is preferably 0.3 mm or more and 0.8 mm or less.

[0038] Furthermore, in the foam generating device 1, it is preferable that the discharge section 30 has a configuration shown in Figures 5 and 7. The discharge section 30 shown in Figure 5 has a cylindrical section 32a and a tapered section 32b aligned in the direction of the discharge axis S. In the discharge section 30, the cylindrical section 32a is located on the second pipe 22 side, and the tapered section 32b is located on the discharge port 31 side. In the discharge section 30, the cylindrical section 32a and the tapered section 32b form a flow path Q that connects the discharge port 31 to the flow path P of the second pipe 22.

[0039] The cylindrical portion 32a of the discharge unit 30 is cylindrical and extends along the discharge axis S, and forms a flow path Q having a circular cross section with a constant diameter throughout the direction of the discharge axis S. Fig. 7 shows the dimension d0, which is the diameter of the flow path Q formed by the cylindrical portion 32a of the discharge unit 30. In the discharge unit 30, the dimension d0 of the flow path Q in the cylindrical portion 32a is equal to the dimension d1 of the discharge port 31 in the X-axis direction, and is larger than the dimension d2 of the discharge port 31 in the orthogonal axis T direction.

[0040] The tapered portion 32b of the discharge portion 30 forms a flow path Q whose cross-sectional shape changes continuously from the rear end portion connected to the cylindrical portion 32a toward the front end portion constituting the discharge port 31. That is, in the cross section of the flow path Q in the tapered portion 32b, the dimension in the direction of the orthogonal axis T continuously decreases from dimension d0 to dimension d2 from the cylindrical portion 32a side toward the discharge port 31.

[0041] Furthermore, in the foam generating device 1, from the viewpoints of miniaturization and ease of maintenance, it is advantageous to reduce the area of the porous portion 40 where the cleaning liquid does not impinge and does not contribute to the generation of cleaning foam. On the other hand, in the foam generating device 1, it is preferable that the entire amount of cleaning liquid discharged from the discharge port 31 of the discharge unit 30 impinges on the porous portion 40. For this reason, in the foam generating device 1, it is preferable to determine the planar shape of the porous portion 40 according to the area where the cleaning liquid impinges. In other words, it is preferable to ensure a minimum area (surface area) in the porous portion 40 that can receive the impact of the entire amount of cleaning liquid from the discharge unit 30, while reducing the area where the cleaning liquid does not impinge as much as possible. For example, in the foam generating device 1, as shown in Figures 3 and 4, it is preferable to reduce the area above and below the orthogonal axis T direction in the planar shape of the porous portion 40 where the cleaning liquid does not impinge, by making the dimension in the X-axis direction relatively large and the dimension in the orthogonal axis T direction relatively small, in accordance with the shape of the discharge port 31 of the discharge unit 30 shown in Figure 6.

[0042] [Other embodiments] Although the embodiments of the present invention have been described above, it goes without saying that the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments and that various modifications can be made.

[0043] For example, the foam generating device 1 may be configured so that the position and posture of each discharge unit 30 can be changed in order to fine-tune the position at which each discharge unit 30 supplies cleaning foam. For example, as shown in Fig. 8, the foam generating device 1 may have a connector 60 that connects the discharge unit 30 to the second pipe 22 so that the discharge unit 30 can move along the X-axis direction relative to the second pipe 22. Furthermore, in a foam generating device 1 configured in this way, the position and posture of the porous portion 40 may also be configured so that the position and posture of the porous portion 40 can be changed in accordance with changes in the position and posture of each discharge unit 30.

[0044] Furthermore, in the foam generating device 1, the discharge axis S of the discharge unit 30 may be inclined in the X-axis direction (downstream of the flow path P of the second pipe 22) with respect to the YZ plane in order to reduce pressure loss. In the foam generating device 1, the angle formed between the discharge axis S and the X-axis is preferably 45 degrees or more and 90 degrees or less, and more preferably 60 degrees or more and 90 degrees or less. For example, as shown in FIG. 9, the foam generating device 1 may have a connector 70 that connects the discharge unit 30 to the second pipe 22 in an attitude in which the discharge axis S is inclined in the X-axis direction with respect to the YZ plane so that the discharge direction of the cleaning liquid from the discharge port 31 is inclined to the left in the X-axis direction.

[0045] Furthermore, in addition to the configuration in which the control unit 10 receives a manual switching operation via the operation unit 11 as described above, the foam generating device 1 can also be configured so that the control unit 10 can perform foam washing fully automatically. In this case, the foam generating device 1 can be configured so that, for example, when the control unit 10 receives an input operation to perform foam washing, it executes a series of operations, supplying cleaning foam to the floor F and then supplying water to the floor F after a predetermined time has elapsed.

[0046] Additionally, the foam generator 1 is not limited to the above configuration as long as the discharge section 30 is capable of discharging cleaning liquid from the discharge port 31. For example, in the foam generator 1, it is preferable to adjust the spray pattern of the cleaning foam (the planar shape immediately after reaching the floor F) so that the floor F can be more widely and uniformly covered with the cleaning foam. In the foam generator 1, the spray pattern of the cleaning foam can be adjusted, for example, by the shape of the discharge port 31 in the discharge section 30. In the discharge section 30, the shape of the discharge port 31 can be, for example, rectangular, circular, elliptical, polygonal, etc., and a rectangular shape is preferable to obtain a better spray pattern of the cleaning foam. Furthermore, the discharge section 30 is not limited to the configuration provided with the cylindrical portion 32a and the tapered portion 32b as described above. For example, the discharge section 30 may form a flow path Q having a cross section similar to the shape of the discharge port 31 throughout the entire direction of the discharge axis S.

[0047] Furthermore, in the foam generating device 1, the porous portion 40 is not limited to the above configuration as long as it is configured to be able to sufficiently receive the impact of the cleaning liquid discharged from the discharge port 31 of the discharge unit 30. For example, the shape and size of the porous portion 40 can be determined arbitrarily depending on the configuration of the discharge unit 30, etc. Furthermore, the porous portion 40 does not have to be configured to extend along a plane perpendicular to the discharge axis S of the discharge unit 30. In other words, the porous portion 40 only needs to extend along a plane intersecting the discharge axis S of the discharge unit 30, and may be configured to extend, for example, along a plane perpendicular to an axis tilted with respect to the discharge axis S of the discharge unit 30 or along a curved surface intersecting the discharge axis S of the discharge unit 30.

[0048] Furthermore, in the foam generating device 1, the porous portion 40 may be configured from a plurality of porous members. This allows the foam generating device 1 to further improve the quality of the cleaning foam generated in the porous portion 40. As an example, the porous portion 40 may be configured such that a plurality of porous members are directly stacked in the direction of the discharge axis S, or a plurality of porous members are arranged at intervals in the direction of the discharge axis S. The plurality of porous members that make up the porous portion 40 may all have the same configuration or may have different configurations.

[0049] In addition, the foam generating device 1 does not have to be configured with one porous portion 40 for each discharge portion 30. In other words, by expanding the dimensions of the porous portion 40, the foam generating device 1 can be configured with one porous portion 40 for each of a plurality of discharge portions 30, or with only one porous portion 40 for all of the discharge portions 30. In other words, the foam generating device 1 as a whole only needs to have one or more porous portions 40.

[0050] Furthermore, as described above, it is preferable that the foam generating device 1 is not provided with a member that blocks the gap region R between the discharge portion 30 and the porous portion 40. However, the foam generating device 1 may be configured such that the gap region R is partially blocked by another member within a range that makes it difficult for foam to clog in the gap region R and allows cleaning foam to be efficiently supplied from the porous portion 40 to the floor F. In this case, it is preferable that the gap region R in the foam generating device 1 is open at least downward, in the direction of gravity in which the cleaning foam falls.

[0051] Furthermore, in the foam generating device 1, the fixing part 50 is not limited to the above-described configuration as long as it is capable of holding the porous part 40 in a predetermined position. For example, in the fixing part 50, the configuration of at least one of the pipe support 51 and the holding member 52 may be different from that described above, and further, the pipe support 51 and the holding member 52 may be integrally configured. Furthermore, the fixing part 50 does not have to be configured to fix the porous part 40 to the second pipe 22. In other words, the fixing part 50 may be configured to fix the porous part 40 to a component other than the second pipe 22, such as the first pipe 21, the floor F, the wall W, or the ceiling. Furthermore, the foam generating device 1 may not have the fixing part 50, and for example, the porous part 40 itself may be held by the floor F or the like.

[0052] Additionally, in the foam generating device 1, the first pipe 21 and the second pipe 22 constituting the pipe 20 may have different configurations, for example, the first pipe 21 may be a hose and the second pipe 22 may be a pipe. Furthermore, the pipe 20 may be provided with a plurality of second pipes 22, for example, two second pipes 22 may extend from the lower end of the first pipe 21 to both sides in the X-axis direction. Furthermore, the pipe 20 may be a single member in which the first pipe 21 and the second pipe 22 are integrally formed.

[0053] Furthermore, the foam generating device 1 can also be configured not to be connected to a water supply source, on the assumption that the process of removing the cleaning liquid from the floor F will be performed manually. Furthermore, the foam generating device 1 only needs to have the discharge section 30 and porous section 40 that constitute the discharge unit, and may be configured not to have at least one of the control section 10 and the piping 20. A foam generating device 1 configured not to have the control section 10 and the piping 20 can be configured, for example, such that each discharge section 30 is directly connected to a cleaning liquid supply source, and the cleaning liquid is supplied by operating the cleaning liquid supply source. [Explanation of symbols]

[0054] 1... Foam generation device 10...Control unit 20...Piping 21...First pipe 22...Second piping 30…Discharge part 31...Discharge port 40...Porous part 50…Fixed part P, Q...flow path R...gap area

Claims

1. A foam generating unit for generating foam from a cleaning liquid, a discharge part having a discharge port that discharges a cleaning liquid in a direction along one axis, and a porous part that faces the discharge port and extends along a plane that intersects with the one axis, The cleaning liquid discharged from the discharge port is configured to collide with the porous portion in liquid form. Foam generation unit.

2. The region between the porous portion and the discharge portion is open in the circumferential direction surrounding the axis. The foam generating unit of claim 1 .

3. The shape of the discharge port is flat. A foam generating unit according to claim 1 or 2.

4. A foam generating device for generating foam from a cleaning liquid, a pipe having a flow path through which a cleaning liquid is transported; a plurality of discharge units provided at intervals along the flow path and having discharge ports for discharging the cleaning liquid in a direction along an axis; and a porous unit facing the discharge ports of the plurality of discharge units and extending along a plane intersecting the axis, the outlets of the plurality of outlet portions are each in communication with the flow path, The cleaning liquid discharged from the discharge ports of the plurality of discharge units is configured to collide with the porous portion in liquid form. Foam generator.

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