Suspended matter removing device

Abstract

To stabilize the vertical position of a suspended matter removing device with respect to the water surface of a bathtub.SOLUTION: The device is provided with a buoyancy part 12 for generating buoyancy for floating a device body 2 in hot water of a bathtub, a water intake part 11 for taking hot water near the water surface of the bathtub into the device body, and a drain part 35 for discharging the hot water in the device body, and when a pump 37 provided in a connection passage for connecting the water intake part and the drain part is operated, the hot water taken from the water intake part is sucked and pressure-fed toward the drain part. Also, a filter 50 for filtering the hot water passing through the connection passage is installed, and an opening part 43 opened to the outside of the device body is provided at the terminal of a branch passage 42 branched from the water intake part side rather than the pump of the connection passage. The opening part and the branch passage are positioned below a water surface of the bathtub in a state where the device body floats on hot water of the bathtub by buoyancy of the buoyancy part.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 4

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a floating matter removal device for removing floating matter from the surface of water in a bathtub. [Background technology]

[0002] When bathing, dirt, hair, and other floating matter on the surface of the bathtub water are unhygienic and uncomfortable. Therefore, devices for removing such floating matter have been proposed. For example, the device described in Patent Document 1 is equipped with a filter and a pump (screw). When the device is floated in the water in the bathtub and the pump is operated, the water near the surface of the bathtub, along with the floating matter, is taken in from the water intake section located at the top of the device, and filtered through the filter, removing the floating matter. The water that passes through the filter is then sent to the drain and discharged into the bathtub. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2009-279378 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] However, with the device described in Patent Document 1, if the water intake section is unable to take in enough hot water due to the shaking (waves) of the water surface in the bathtub, air will be taken in. The air taken in increases buoyancy, causing the entire device to float, creating a vicious cycle that makes it even more difficult to take in hot water from the water intake section.

[0005] This invention has been made in response to the above-mentioned problems in the conventional technology, and aims to provide technology that can stabilize the vertical position of a floating matter removal device relative to the water surface of a bathtub. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, the floating matter removal device of the present invention employs the following configuration. <First aspect> A floating matter removal device for removing floating matter from the surface of bathtub water, a buoyancy unit that generates buoyancy that makes the device body float in the hot water of the bathtub; A water intake section for taking in hot and cold water near the water surface of the bathtub into the device body; A drainage section for discharging hot and cold water from the device body; a connecting passage connecting the water intake section and the water discharge section; a pump provided in the connecting passage for sucking hot and cold water taken in from the water intake section and pumping the hot and cold water toward the water discharge section; a filter provided in the connecting passage for filtering hot and cold water passing through; a branch passage branching from the connection passage at a position closer to the water intake portion than the pump; an opening located at the end of the branch passage and open to the outside of the device body; Equipped with When the device main body floats on the hot and cold water in the bathtub due to the buoyancy of the buoyancy part, the opening part and the branch passage are located below the water surface of the bathtub. It is characterized by:

[0007] In this first type of floating matter removal device, when the intake of hot water from the water intake section is insufficient due to shaking (waves) on the water surface of the bathtub (the amount of hot water taken in from the water intake section is less than the amount of hot water discharged by driving the pump), the hot water from the bathtub is sucked into the device body through the open section, thereby preventing the device body from floating up due to the intake of air from the water intake section, and making it possible to stabilize the vertical position of the device body relative to the water surface of the bathtub.

[0008] <Second aspect> In the floating matter removal device of the first aspect, a movable body that floats in the hot water of the bathtub and is capable of moving up and down independently of the device body in which the opening is provided, the movable body is provided with a shielding portion capable of shielding the open portion, As the device body rises up relative to the movable body, the shielding rate of the opening by the shielding part decreases. It is characterized by:

[0009] In this second aspect of the floating matter removal device, before the device main body floats up relative to the movable body, the opening is shielded by the shielding part, so that priority is given to taking in hot water near the surface of the bathtub from the water intake part rather than sucking in hot water from the bathtub through the opening part, and floating matter can be efficiently taken in from the water intake part along with the hot water near the surface of the bathtub and removed by the filter. On the other hand, if the intake of hot water from the water intake part is temporarily insufficient and the device main body floats up relative to the movable body, the portion of the opening that is shielded by the shielding part decreases, encouraging the hot water from the bathtub to be sucked into the device main body from the open part, and lowering (returning) the vertical position of the device main body.

[0010] <Third aspect> In the floating matter removal device of the second aspect, The movable body is provided with a secondary shielding portion capable of shielding the drainage portion, As the device main body rises relative to the movable body, the shielding rate of the drainage section by the auxiliary shielding section increases. It is characterized by:

[0011] In the floating matter removal device of the third aspect, when the intake of hot water from the water intake section becomes insufficient and the device body rises up relative to the movable body, the portion of the drain section that is shielded by the secondary shielding section increases, and the discharge of hot water from the drain section is suppressed. This makes it easier for hot water to accumulate inside the device body, making it possible to quickly lower (return) the vertical position of the device body.

[0012] <Fourth aspect> In the floating matter removal device of any one of the first to third aspects, The drainage unit has a jet drainage unit capable of jetting at least a portion of the hot water pressure-fed from the pump toward the water intake unit, The jet drainage section is provided near the water surface of the bathtub, At least a part of the jet flow, which is the flow of hot and cold water jetted from the jet drain portion toward the water intake portion, is connected to the water surface of the bathtub. It is characterized by:

[0013] In the floating matter removal device of the fourth aspect, by spraying hot water from the jet drainage section located near the water surface of the bathtub toward the water intake section, the jet flow flows into the water intake section while drawing in the hot water near the water surface of the bathtub, promoting the intake of hot water from the water intake section. The jet flow of hot water from the jet drainage section then collects floating matter on the surface of the bathtub toward the water intake section, so that the floating matter can be efficiently taken in from the water intake section along with the hot water, making it possible to improve the performance of removing floating matter. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0014] [Figure 1] 1 is a perspective view showing a state in which the floating matter removal device 1 of the first embodiment is disassembled. [Figure 2] 2 is an enlarged perspective view of an upper unit 10, a filter 50, and an intermediate unit 40 of the first embodiment. FIG. [Figure 3] 3 is a cross-sectional view of a pump-forming member 45 and an impeller 31 of the first embodiment taken along a horizontal plane. FIG. [Figure 4] 1 is an explanatory diagram showing the removal of floating matter floating on the surface of the water in a bathtub by the operation of the floating matter removal device 1 of the first embodiment. FIG. [Figure 5] FIG. 10 is a perspective view showing the configuration of a floating matter removal device 1 of a second embodiment. [Figure 6] 10 is an explanatory diagram showing how hot and cold water near the water surface of the bathtub is taken in through the water intake section 11 by operation of the floating matter removal device 1 of the second embodiment. FIG. [Figure 7]10 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a state in which the device body 2 is raised relative to the movable body 60 of the floating matter removal device 1 of the second embodiment. FIG. [Figure 8] 10 is an enlarged perspective view of an upper unit 10, a filter 50, and an intermediate unit 40 in a floating matter removal device 1 of a third embodiment. FIG. [Figure 9] 10 is an explanatory diagram showing the removal of floating matter floating on the water surface of a bathtub by the operation of the floating matter removal device 1 of the third embodiment. FIG. [Figure 10] 10 is an enlarged perspective view of an upper unit 10 in a modified floating matter removal device 1. FIG. [Figure 11] 10 is an explanatory diagram showing the removal of floating matter floating on the water surface of a bathtub by the operation of the floating matter removal device 1 of the modified example. FIG. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0015] FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a disassembled state of a floating matter removal device 1 of the first embodiment. The floating matter removal device 1 of the first embodiment, which is used in a bathtub, is roughly composed of an upper unit 10 located at the top, a lower unit 30 located at the bottom, and an intermediate unit 40 located between them, and the device main body 2 is disassembled. First, the upper unit 10 has a water intake section 11 that opens upward to draw hot and cold water near the water surface of the bathtub into the device main body 2. Multiple float sections 12 (four in the first embodiment) are provided at equal intervals around the water intake section 11 to generate buoyancy that keeps the device main body 2 afloat in the bathtub water. Furthermore, a guide surface 13 is provided between the float sections 12 to guide hot and cold water from the outer periphery of the upper unit 10 to the central water intake section 11. The float section 12 of the first embodiment corresponds to the "buoyancy section" of the present invention.

[0016] A mortar-shaped recess 41 capable of temporarily storing hot and cold water taken in from the water intake section 11 is provided on the upper surface of the intermediate unit 40, and a bottom hole 41a formed in the bottom surface of the recess 41 is connected to the suction side of a pump, which will be described later. A filter 50 is attached to cover the upper part of the recess 41, and the hot and cold water taken in from the water intake section 11 is filtered by passing through the filter 50. This filter 50 can be removed from the intermediate unit 40 and cleaned by separating the upper unit 10 and the intermediate unit 40. In addition, a plurality of (two in the first embodiment) open notches 42 are evenly arranged on the outer edge of the upper end of the intermediate unit 40. These open notches 42 communicate with the recess 41 and form an open section that is open to the outside when the upper unit 10 and the intermediate unit 40 are connected as will be described later.

[0017] An impeller 31 constituting a pump is provided on the upper surface of the lower unit 30, and a motor 32 for driving the impeller 31 is incorporated in the lower unit 30. An outer peripheral wall 33 extends upward from the outer edge of the upper surface of the lower unit 30, and this outer peripheral wall 33 has a plurality of drainage notches 34 (two in the first embodiment) evenly spaced apart, which form a drainage section for discharging hot and cold water from the device main body 2 when the intermediate unit 40 and the lower unit 30 are connected, as will be described later. Furthermore, although not shown, the lower unit 30 incorporates a battery that supplies power to the motor 32, a power receiving coil for wirelessly charging the battery, and the like. Note that a dry cell may be used as the power source instead of a battery.

[0018] FIG. 2 is an enlarged perspective view of the upper unit 10, filter 50, and intermediate unit 40 of the first embodiment. FIG. 2 shows the upper unit 10, filter 50, and intermediate unit 40 cut along a vertical plane passing through the center of the water intake section 11. As shown in the figure, the upper unit 10 of the first embodiment is provided with a cylindrical connecting tube 14 extending downward from the water intake section 11, with a space 15 formed between the outer circumferential surface of the upper unit 10 and the connecting tube 14. The bottom of the upper unit 10 is closed by a bottom plate 16 fitted from below, and buoyancy is ensured by the air in the space 15 in addition to the air inside the float section 12. A connecting hole 14a formed in the bottom surface of the connecting tube 14 is connected to a central hole 16a formed in the center of the bottom plate 16. Although not shown, a gasket made of an elastic material such as rubber is interposed between the upper unit 10 and the bottom plate 16 to maintain airtightness.

[0019] The filter 50 attached to cover the upper part of the recess 41 of the intermediate unit 40 is made up of a frame body 50a formed in a lattice shape and a fine mesh 50b attached to the upper surface of the frame body 50a.

[0020] A pump-forming member 45 is fitted into the intermediate unit 40 from below. The pump-forming member 45 is provided with a pump chamber 46 that houses the impeller 31 described above, and a suction hole 46a formed in the upper surface of the pump chamber 46 is connected to a bottom hole 41a of the recess 41. A discharge passage 47 extends from the circumferential surface of the pump chamber 46 and is connected to a drain section (described below) formed by a drain cutout 34 of the lower unit 30. Although not shown, a packing made of an elastic material such as rubber is interposed between the intermediate unit 40 and the pump-forming member 45 to ensure watertightness. The pump-forming member 45 is fixed to the intermediate unit 40 using screws or the like (not shown).

[0021] FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the pump-forming member 45 and impeller 31 of the first embodiment, cut along a horizontal plane. The impeller 31, housed in the pump chamber 46, has multiple blades 31a arranged radially about the rotation axis. The pump chamber 46 and the impeller 31 together constitute the pump 37 of the first embodiment. When the impeller 31 rotates, centrifugal force causes the hot and cold water in the pump chamber 46 to flow from the inside to the outside of the impeller 31, and the hot and cold water is discharged into the discharge passage 47 extending from the circumferential surface of the pump chamber 46. Accordingly, the hot and cold water in the recess 41 is drawn into the pump chamber 46 through the bottom hole 41a and the suction hole 46a. The hot and cold water discharged from the pump chamber 46 by the rotation of the impeller 31 is then discharged to the outside through the discharge passage 47, as indicated by the thick arrow in the figure.

[0022] Figure 4 is an explanatory diagram showing the removal of floating matter floating on the water surface of a bathtub by the operation of the floating matter removal device 1 of the first embodiment. Figure 4 shows a cross section of the floating matter removal device 1 cut along a vertical plane passing through the center of the water intake section 11. The dashed-dotted line in the figure represents the water surface, and the diamonds and rectangles in the figure schematically represent floating matter such as dirt and hair floating on the water surface of the bathtub.

[0023] The floating matter removal device 1 of the first embodiment floats on the water in the bathtub due to the buoyancy of the upper unit 10. In the illustrated example, the upper part of the float part 12 protrudes above the water surface of the bathtub, and the open surface of the water intake part 11, which opens upward, and the guide surface 13 are located below the water surface of the bathtub. The guide surface 13 is gently sloped downward from the outer periphery of the upper unit 10 toward the water intake part 11 in the center.

[0024] As described above, when the impeller 31 housed in the pump chamber 46 is rotated by the motor 32, as shown by the thick arrow in the figure, the hot and cold water in the recess 41 is sucked into the pump chamber 46 through the bottom hole 41a, and the hot and cold water inside the connecting tube part 14 flows into the recess 41 through the connecting hole 14a, causing the water level inside the connecting tube part 14 to drop below the water level in the bathtub. This creates a difference in head (water level difference) between the water level in the bathtub and the water level inside the connecting tube part 14, causing the hot and cold water near the water surface in the bathtub, together with floating matter, to flow down through the guide surface 13 from the water intake part 11 to the inside of the connecting tube part 14.

[0025] In this way, the hot water taken into the device main body 2 from the water intake section 11 has floating particles removed as it passes through the filter 50 installed in the recess 41. Furthermore, when the hot water passes through the filter 50, it is sucked into the pump chamber 46 and discharged into the discharge passage 47 as described above. Since the discharge passage 47 is connected to the drain section 35 formed by the drain cutout 34 of the lower unit 30, the hot water discharged from the pump chamber 46 into the discharge passage 47 by the rotation of the impeller 31 is discharged to the outside from the drain section 35 as shown by the two-dot chain arrow in the figure. Note that the connecting tube section 14, recess 41, pump chamber 46, and discharge passage 47 in the first embodiment correspond to the "connecting passage" of the present invention.

[0026] In this type of floating matter removal device 1, if the guide surface 13 or the open surface of the water intake section 11 rises above the water surface due to turbulence (waves) in the bathtub, temporarily causing a shortage of hot and cold water intake from the water intake section 11, air is drawn in from the water intake section 11 (the water level inside the connecting tube section 14 drops), increasing the buoyancy of the upper unit 10 and causing the device body 2 to rise as a whole, further hindering the intake of hot and cold water from the water intake section 11. In the floating matter removal device 1 of the first embodiment, the open section 43 formed by the open notch 42 in the intermediate unit 40 communicates with the recessed section 41 and is open to the outside of the device body 2. Even if the guide surface 13 or the open surface of the water intake section 11 rises above the water surface, the open notch 42 and the open section 43 are located below the water surface. Therefore, as shown by the dashed arrow in the figure, hot and cold water in the bath flows from the open section 43 into the recessed section 41, thereby suppressing the intake of air from the water intake section 11. The open notch 42 in the first embodiment corresponds to the "branch passage" of the present invention.

[0027] As described above, in the first embodiment of the floating matter removal device 1, the open section 43, which is connected to the recess 41 located between the water intake section 11 and the pump 37 and is open to the outside of the device main body 2, is formed by the open notch 42 of the intermediate unit 40, and when the device main body 2 is floating in the hot water in the bathtub due to the buoyancy of the upper unit 10, the open notch 42 and the open section 43 are located below the water surface in the bathtub.

[0028] According to the floating matter removal device 1 of the first embodiment, when there is an insufficient intake of hot water from the water intake section 11 due to shaking of the water surface in the bathtub or the like (the amount of hot water taken in from the water intake section 11 is less than the amount of hot water discharged by driving the pump 37), the hot water from the bathtub can be sucked into the device main body 2 from the open section 43, thereby preventing the device main body 2 from floating up due to the intake of air from the water intake section 11, thereby making it possible to stabilize the vertical position of the floating matter removal device 1 (device main body 2) relative to the water surface in the bathtub.

[0029] Fig. 5 is a perspective view showing the configuration of a floating matter removal device 1 of the second embodiment. Note that the same components as those of the floating matter removal device 1 of the first embodiment described above are given the same reference numerals, and detailed description thereof will be omitted. As shown in the figure, the floating matter removal device 1 of the second embodiment is provided with a movable body 60 that floats on the surface of the bathtub water and is capable of moving up and down independently of the device main body 2, which is composed of the upper unit 10, middle unit 40, and lower unit 30 described above. Fig. 5 shows the movable body 60 separated from the device main body 2.

[0030] The illustrated movable body 60 is designed to fit onto the outer periphery of the device main body 2, and is provided with an annular float part 61 that is formed in a ring shape and generates buoyancy for floating in the bathtub, with the inside of this annular float part 61 serving as an insertion part 62 through which the device main body 2 passes. In addition, a plurality of protruding float parts 63 that protrude from the top surface of the annular float part 61 and generate buoyancy are provided, and in the illustrated example, there are four protruding float parts 63 that correspond to the four float parts 12 in the upper unit 10 of the device main body 2, respectively.

[0031] Furthermore, the movable body 60 is provided with a shielding tube 64 that extends cylindrically downward from the inner edge of the annular float portion 61, and the shielding tube 64 can partially cover the outer circumferential surface of the device main body 2. This shielding tube 64 has a plurality of through-holes 65 that penetrate from the inside to the outside, evenly spaced in the circumferential direction, and in the second embodiment, has two through-holes 65 that correspond to each of the two openings 43 in the device main body 2. Note that when the movable body 60 is fitted around the outer periphery of the device main body 2, a guide mechanism (for example, a mechanism in which a protrusion provided on either the device main body 2 or the movable body 60 slides along a vertical groove provided on the other) allows the movable body 60 to move up and down relative to the device main body 2 while preventing it from rotating.

[0032] FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram showing how hot and cold water near the water surface in the bathtub is taken in through the water intake section 11 by the operation of the floating matter removal device 1 of the second embodiment. FIG. 6 shows a cross section of the floating matter removal device 1 (device main body 2 and movable body 60) cut along a vertical plane passing through the center of the water intake section 11, with the dashed-dotted line in the figure representing the water surface. Note that floating matter is not shown in FIG. 6. The movable body 60 obtains buoyancy through the air in the air reservoir 61a formed inside the annular float section 61 and the air inside the protruding float section 63. Because the movable body 60 is sealed, its vertical position relative to the water surface in the bathtub is more stable than that of the device main body 2. When the movable body 60 floats in the bathtub, the upper part of the protruding float section 63 protrudes above the water surface in the bathtub, and the upper surface of the annular float section 61 is positioned below the water surface in the bathtub.

[0033] In addition, in the example shown in Figure 6, the open surface and guide surface 13 of the water intake section 11 in the upper unit 10 are located below the water surface in the bathtub, and when the pump 37 is operated (the impeller 31 in the pump chamber 46 rotates), a difference in head (water level difference) occurs from the water surface in the bathtub to the water surface inside the connecting tube section 14, as in the first embodiment described above, and as a result, the hot water near the water surface in the bathtub, together with floating matter, flows down from the water intake section 11 to the inside of the connecting tube section 14 through the upper surface and guide surface 13 of the annular float section 61, as shown by the thick arrow in the figure.

[0034] The hot water taken into the device body 2 from the water intake section 11 in this way flows through the connection hole 14a into the recess 41, and floating matter is removed by passing through the filter 50. The hot water that has passed through the filter 50 is also sucked into the pump chamber 46 through the bottom hole 41a of the recess 41, and is discharged into the discharge passage 47 by the centrifugal force of the impeller 31, so that the hot water is pressure-fed through the discharge passage 47 to the terminal drain section 35. At this time, in the example of Figure 6, the lower end of the shielding tube 64 of the movable body 60 is positioned above the drain section 35, and the drain section 35 is not shielded by the shielding tube 64, so the hot water pressure-fed through the discharge passage 47 is discharged to the outside from the drain section 35, as shown by the two-dot chain arrow in the figure.

[0035] In addition, since the through portion 65 provided in the shielding tube 64 of the movable body 60 is positioned above the open portion 43, the open portion 43 is shielded by the portion of the shielding tube 64 directly below the through portion 65, so priority is given to taking in hot water near the surface of the bathtub from the water intake portion 11 (allowing the hot water inside the connecting tube portion 14 to flow into the recess 41) rather than sucking the hot water from the bathtub through the open portion 43. The portion directly below the through portion 65 in the shielding tube 64 of the second embodiment corresponds to the "shielding portion" of the present invention.

[0036] However, if the intake of hot water from the water intake section 11 is temporarily insufficient due to factors such as shaking (waves) on the water surface of the bathtub, the buoyancy of the air taken in from the water intake section 11 increases, which can cause the entire device body 2 to float up. In the floating matter removal device 1 of the second embodiment, as the device body 2 floats up relative to the movable body 60, the overlap between the penetration section 65 of the shielding tube 64 and the open section 43 increases, and the portion of the open section 43 that is shielded by the shielding tube 64 (the shielding rate of the open section 43) decreases, and the portion of the drainage section 35 that is shielded by the shielding tube 64 (the shielding rate of the drainage section 35) increases.

[0037] Fig. 7 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a state in which the device main body 2 is raised relative to the movable body 60 of the floating matter removal device 1 of the second embodiment. Like Fig. 6, Fig. 7 shows a cross section of the floating matter removal device 1 (device main body 2 and movable body 60) cut along a vertical plane passing through the center of the water intake section 11. In the example shown in Fig. 7, the open surface and guide surface 13 of the water intake section 11 in the upper unit 10 protrude above the water surface in the bathtub, and hot or cold water near the water surface in the bathtub does not flow over the guide surface 13 and down from the water intake section 11 into the inside of the connecting tube section 14.

[0038] On the other hand, because open portion 43 completely overlaps with penetration portion 65 of shielding tube 64 and open portion 43 is not shielded by shielding tube 64, hot and cold water in the bathtub is sucked in through open portion 43 as shown by the dashed arrow in the figure. This not only prevents air from being taken in from water intake section 11, but also reduces buoyancy due to the hot and cold water sucked in through open portion 43, allowing the vertical position of device main body 2 to be lowered (returned).

[0039] In addition, the lower end of the shielding tube 64 is located below the drainage section 35, and the drainage section 35 is shielded by the lower part of the shielding tube 64, preventing the hot water pressure-fed through the discharge passage 47 from being discharged from the drainage section 35. As a result, hot water is more likely to accumulate within the device main body 2, and as the buoyancy decreases due to the accumulation of hot water, it becomes possible to quickly lower (return) the vertical position of the device main body 2. The lower part of the shielding tube 64 in the second embodiment corresponds to the "secondary shielding section" of the present invention.

[0040] As described above, the floating matter removal device 1 of the second embodiment is provided with the movable body 60 that floats in the water of the bathtub and is capable of moving up and down independently of the device main body 2, and the open section 43 of the device main body 2 can be shielded by the shielding cylinder 64 of the movable body 60. As the device main body 2 floats up relative to the movable body 60, the shielding rate of the open section 43 by the shielding cylinder 64 decreases.

[0041] In the floating matter removal device 1 of the second embodiment, before the device main body 2 floats up relative to the movable body 60, the open section 43 is shielded by the shielding tube 64, so that priority is given to taking in hot water near the surface of the bathtub from the water intake section 11 rather than sucking in the hot water from the bathtub through the open section 43, and floating matter can be efficiently taken in from the water intake section 11 along with the hot water near the surface of the bathtub and removed by the filter 50. On the other hand, if the intake of hot water from the water intake section 11 is temporarily insufficient and the device main body 2 floats up relative to the movable body 60, the portion of the open section 43 that is shielded by the shielding tube 64 decreases, which encourages the hot water from the bathtub to be sucked into the device main body 2 from the open section 43, and the vertical position of the device main body 2 can be lowered (returned).

[0042] Furthermore, in the floating matter removal device 1 of the second embodiment, the drainage section 35 of the device main body 2 can be shielded by the shielding tube 64 of the movable body 60, and as the device main body 2 rises relative to the movable body 60, the shielding rate of the drainage section 35 by the shielding tube 64 increases. In this way, when the device main body 2 rises relative to the movable body 60 due to a shortage of hot water intake from the water intake section 11, the portion of the drainage section 35 that is shielded by the shielding tube 64 increases, and the discharge of hot water from the drainage section 35 is suppressed. This makes it easier for hot water to accumulate within the device main body 2, making it possible to quickly lower (return) the vertical position of the device main body 2.

[0043] Fig. 8 is an enlarged perspective view of the upper unit 10, filter 50, and intermediate unit 40 in the floating matter removal device 1 of the third embodiment. Fig. 8 shows the upper unit 10, filter 50, and intermediate unit 40 cut along a vertical plane passing through the center of the water intake section 11. Note that the same components as those in the floating matter removal device 1 of the first embodiment described above are given the same reference numerals, and detailed description thereof will be omitted.

[0044] First, the upper unit 10 has a plurality of float sections 12 (three in the third embodiment) arranged at equal intervals around the water intake section 11, which is open upward. The float section 12 of the third embodiment has a space 12a with an open top, and buoyancy is ensured by the air within this space 12a. The float section 12 is also provided with a cover plate 25 that covers the water intake section 11 and the top of the float section 12, and by attaching the cover plate 25, hot or cold water is prevented from entering the space 12a. The float section 12 of the third embodiment corresponds to the "buoyancy section" of the present invention.

[0045] Between the float sections 12, a substantially horizontal flat surface 20 is provided from the outer periphery of the upper unit 10 to the central water intake section 11. Furthermore, on the outer periphery of the flat surface 20, a jet section 21 is provided for jetting hot and cold water toward the water intake section 11, as will be described later, and this jet section 21 protrudes above the flat surface 20.

[0046] The intermediate unit 40 has a plurality of (three in the third embodiment) openings 43 at equal intervals on its outer peripheral surface, and a plurality of (three in the third embodiment) communication passages 44 connecting these openings 43 with the inner recess 41 are provided at equal intervals around the recess 41. The communication passages 44 in the third embodiment correspond to the "branch passages" of the present invention.

[0047] Furthermore, the intermediate unit 40 is provided with a plurality (three in the third embodiment) of equally spaced pressure-feed passages 48 surrounding the recess 41, which are connected to the discharge passages 47 of the pump-forming member 45 fitted from below and which send hot and cold water to the spray portion 21. Correspondingly, the pump-forming member 45 of the third embodiment has discharge passages 47 extending in three directions from the circumferential surface of the pump chamber 46, which correspond to the three pressure-feed passages 48. Additionally, the outer peripheral wall 33 of the lower unit 30 of the third embodiment has three equally spaced drainage notches 34 which form the drainage portion 35.

[0048] Communicating passages 44 and pumping passages 48 are alternately arranged around the recess 41 of the intermediate unit 40, and the filter 50 covers the recess 41 and the communicating passages 44 from above. That is, the filter 50 of the third embodiment has a circular portion 51 that covers the upper part of the recess 41 and a sector-shaped portion 52 that covers the upper part of the communicating passage 44, and mesh 50b is provided on the upper surface of the frame body 50a in both the circular portion 51 and the sector-shaped portion 52. In addition, a circular plate 53 formed in a substantially circular shape is provided below the circular portion 51 of the filter 50 of the present embodiment and is substantially parallel to the frame body 50a, and the outer diameter of this circular plate 53 is smaller than the outer diameter of the circular portion 51 and larger than the inner diameter of the bottom hole 41a.

[0049] Fig. 9 is an explanatory diagram showing the removal of floating matter floating on the water surface of a bathtub by the operation of the floating matter removal device 1 of the third embodiment. Fig. 9 shows a cross section of the floating matter removal device 1 cut along a vertical plane passing through the center of the water intake section 11. The dashed-dotted line in the figure represents the water surface, and the diamonds and rectangles in the figure schematically represent floating matter such as dirt and hair floating on the water surface of the bathtub.

[0050] The floating matter removal device 1 of the third embodiment floats on the water in the bathtub due to the buoyancy of the float portion 12. In the illustrated example, the open surface of the water intake portion 11, which opens upward, the flat surface 20 surrounding the water intake portion 11, and the jet portion 21 are all located below the water surface in the bathtub. When the impeller 31 housed in the pump chamber 46 rotates, as shown by the thick arrow in the figure, some of the hot water discharged into the discharge passage 47 passes through the pressure-feeding passage 48 and is jetted from the jet portion 21 toward the water intake portion 11, and flows along the flat surface 20 into the water intake portion 11. At this time, a negative pressure is generated around the flow of hot water jetted from the jet portion 21 (hereinafter referred to as the jet flow) due to a decrease in pressure caused by the flow velocity of the jet. Furthermore, because the jet flow follows the water surface of the bathtub, the hot water near the water surface of the bathtub is caught up in the jet flow together with the floating matter, as shown by the dashed arrow in the figure, and flows into the water intake portion 11.

[0051] The hot water taken in from the water intake section 11 is sucked into the pump chamber 46 through the bottom hole 41a of the recess 41, and floating particles are removed as the water passes through the filter 50. The injection section 21 of the third embodiment corresponds to the "injection drainage section as a drainage section" of the present invention, and the recess 41, pump chamber 46, discharge passage 47, and pressure-feed passage 48 of the third embodiment correspond to the "connecting passage" of the present invention.

[0052] Furthermore, in the third embodiment, a circular plate 53 having an outer diameter larger than the inner diameter of bottom hole 41a is installed below filter 50 to cover the top of bottom hole 41a. As a result, the flow of hot water that has passed through filter 50 flows around the outside of circular plate 53 and is drawn into pump chamber 46 through bottom hole 41a, so even if a vortex occurs above filter 50, the vortex can be prevented from reaching bottom hole 41a. As a result, it is possible to prevent air from being mixed into pump chamber 46 by the vortex, which would otherwise cause a drop in the pressure of hot water discharged from pump chamber 46.

[0053] In the floating matter removal device 1 of the third embodiment, in addition to the hot water sprayed from the spray section 21, the hot water near the water surface in the bathtub that is caught in the spray flow flows in from the water intake section 11, so that the amount of hot water taken in from the water intake section 11 is excessive compared to the amount of hot water sprayed from the spray section 21. However, the drain section 35 formed by the drain cutout 34 of the lower unit 30 is connected to the discharge passage 47, and the hot water discharged from the pump chamber 46 to the discharge passage 47 by the rotation of the impeller 31 is discharged to the outside from the drain section 35 as shown by the two-dot chain arrow in the figure, except for the portion supplied to the spray section 21, so that the head (water level difference) from the water surface in the bathtub to the water surface inside the water intake section 11 can be secured. The drain section 35 of the third embodiment corresponds to the "drain section that is not a spray drain section" of the present invention, and the recess 41, pump chamber 46, and discharge passage 47 of the third embodiment correspond to the "connecting passage" of the present invention.

[0054] On the other hand, if the flat surface 20 or the open surface of the water intake section 11 rises above the water surface of the bathtub due to the influence of the shaking (waves) of the water surface in the bathtub, and the intake of hot water from the water intake section 11 temporarily becomes insufficient, the hot water in the bathtub can be sucked in from the open section 43, which is located below the water surface of the bathtub, to replenish the water.This prevents the device main body 2 from floating up, and allows the injection of hot water from the injection section 21 to continue, thereby promoting the intake of hot water from the water intake section 11.

[0055] As explained above, in the floating matter removal device 1 of the third embodiment, an open section 43 is provided at the end of the communication passage 44 branching off from the recess 41, and when the floating matter removal device 1 is floating on the water in the bathtub, the communication passage 44 and the open section 43 are located below the water surface of the bathtub. Therefore, as with the floating matter removal device 1 of the first embodiment described above, if the intake of hot water from the water intake section 11 is insufficient due to shaking or the like on the water surface of the bathtub, the hot water from the bathtub can be sucked in from the open section 43, thereby preventing the device main body 2 from floating up due to the intake of air from the water intake section 11, and making it possible to stabilize the vertical position of the floating matter removal device 1 relative to the water surface of the bathtub.

[0056] Furthermore, the floating matter removal device 1 of the third embodiment is equipped with a jet unit 21 capable of spraying a portion of the hot water pumped from the pump 37 toward the water intake unit 11, and this jet unit 21 is provided near the water surface of the bathtub, so that the flow of hot water (jet stream) sprayed from the jet unit 21 toward the water intake unit 11 follows the water surface of the bathtub. By spraying hot water from the jet unit 21 provided near the water surface of the bathtub toward the water intake unit 11 in this way, the jet stream flows into the water intake unit 11 while entraining the hot water near the water surface of the bathtub, thereby promoting the intake of hot water from the water intake unit 11. The jet stream of hot water from the jet unit 21 collects floating matter on the surface of the bathtub toward the water intake unit 11, so that the floating matter can be efficiently taken in from the water intake unit 11 along with the hot water, thereby improving the performance of removing floating matter.

[0057] The following modified examples are also available for the floating matter removal device 1 of the third embodiment. The following describes the modified examples, focusing on the differences from the third embodiment described above. In the description of the modified examples, the same components as those of the third embodiment described above are assigned the same reference numerals and will not be described again.

[0058] Fig. 10 is an enlarged perspective view of the upper unit 10 in the floating matter removal device 1 of the modified example. Fig. 10 shows the upper unit 10 cut along a vertical plane passing through the center of the water intake section 11. In the upper unit 10 of the third embodiment described above, a substantially horizontal flat surface 20 was provided between the float sections 12, extending from the outer periphery of the upper unit 10 to the central water intake section 11 (see Fig. 8). In contrast, in the floating matter removal device 1 of the modified example, an inclined surface 22 is provided between the float sections 12, extending from the outer periphery of the upper unit 10 toward the central water intake section 11. The jet section 21 is located on the lower end side of the inclined surface 22 and protrudes from the inclined surface 22.

[0059] Fig. 11 is an explanatory diagram showing the removal of floating matter floating on the water surface of a bathtub by the operation of a modified floating matter removal device 1. Like Fig. 9, Fig. 11 shows a cross section of the floating matter removal device 1 cut along a vertical plane passing through the center of the water intake section 11. The modified floating matter removal device 1 floats on the water in the bathtub due to the buoyancy of the float section 12, with the open surface of the water intake section 11, which opens upward, positioned above the water surface of the bathtub. In addition, in the illustrated example, the jet section 21, which is located on the lower end side of the inclined surface 22, is positioned below the water surface of the bathtub.

[0060] When impeller 31 housed in pump chamber 46 rotates, hot water is discharged from pump chamber 46 into discharge passage 47, as shown by the thick arrow in the figure, and in the modified floating matter removal device 1, all of the hot water discharged into discharge passage 47 is supplied to injection section 21 through pressure-feeding passage 48. The hot water sprayed from injection section 21 toward water intake section 11 flows into water intake section 11 along inclined surface 22. At this time, around the flow of hot water (jet flow) sprayed from injection section 21, pressure decreases with the flow rate of the spray, creating negative pressure, and because the jet flow is connected to the water surface in the bathtub, the hot water near the water surface in the bathtub is caught up in the jet flow together with the floating matter, as shown by the dashed-dotted arrow in the figure, and flows down inclined surface 22 into water intake section 11.

[0061] In this way, the hot water taken in from water intake section 11 is sucked into pump chamber 46 through bottom hole 41a of recess 41, and floating matter is removed as it passes through filter 50. In modified floating matter removal device 1, the amount of hot water taken in from water intake section 11 tends to be excessive compared to the amount of hot water sprayed from spray section 21, but an open section 43 is provided at the end of communication passage 44 branching off from recess 41, and excess hot water is released to the outside from open section 43 as shown by the two-dot chain arrow in the figure, so the water level inside water intake section 11 can be prevented from becoming higher than the water level in the bathtub.

[0062] On the other hand, when floating matter removal device 1 is floated in the water in the bathtub at the start of use, the water in the bathtub flows from open portion 43 through connecting passage 44 into recess 41 and is supplied to pump chamber 46. This eliminates the need for the user to fill water through water intake portion 11 and supply it to pump chamber 46 (the so-called priming operation). Also, when the amount of water taken in from water intake portion 11 is less than the amount of water sprayed from spray portion 21, the water in the bathtub can be sucked in from open portion 43 to replenish the water, which prevents device main body 2 from floating up and allows the water to continue to be sprayed from spray portion 21, facilitating the intake of water from water intake portion 11.

[0063] In this modified floating matter removal device 1, as in the floating matter removal device 1 of the third embodiment described above, hot water is sprayed from the spray unit 21 provided near the water surface of the bathtub toward the water intake unit 11, so that the spray flow flows into the water intake unit 11 while entraining the hot water near the water surface of the bathtub, thereby promoting the intake of hot water from the water intake unit 11. In addition, the spray flow of hot water from the spray unit 21 collects floating matter on the surface of the bathtub water toward the water intake unit 11, so that the floating matter can be efficiently taken in from the water intake unit 11 along with the hot water.

[0064] In the modified floating matter removal device 1, when placed in a bathtub and floating in the water, the open face of the water intake section 11, which opens upward, is located above the water surface of the bathtub. By positioning the open face of the water intake section 11 above the water surface of the bathtub in this way, it is easier to obtain a difference in head from the open face of the water intake section 11 to the water surface inside the water intake section 11 compared to when the open face is located at the water surface of the bathtub, and this makes it possible to prevent floating matter that has been taken into the inside of the water intake section 11 together with the water from flowing back out.

[0065] The above describes various embodiments and variations of the floating matter removal device 1, but the present invention is not limited to the above embodiments and variations, and can be implemented in various forms within the scope of its gist.

[0066] For example, the movable body 60 of the second embodiment may be applied to the floating matter removal device 1 of the third embodiment. In this case, three protruding float portions 63 corresponding to the three float portions 12 of the upper unit 10 of the third embodiment may be provided protruding from the upper surface of the annular float portion 61, and three through portions 65 corresponding to the three opening portions 43 of the intermediate unit 40 of the third embodiment may be provided in the shielding tube 64.

[0067] Furthermore, in the floating matter removal device 1 of the third embodiment described above, if the jet unit 21 is located near the water surface of the bathtub, not only when the jet unit 21 is located below the water surface of the bathtub, but also when the jet unit 21 is above the water surface of the bathtub, the negative pressure generated around the jet unit 21 by the jet of hot and cold water may attract the water surface of the bathtub, causing the jet of hot and cold water from the jet unit 21 to connect with the water surface of the bathtub. If at least a portion of the flow of hot and cold water (jet stream) jetted from the jet unit 21 connects with the water surface of the bathtub in this way, the hot and cold water near the water surface of the bathtub is entrained in the jet stream together with the floating matter, thereby promoting the intake of hot and cold water and floating matter from the water intake unit 11. However, if the jet unit 21 is located above the water surface of the bathtub, not only the hot and cold water near the water surface of the bathtub but also the air is likely to be entrained in the jet stream. However, if the jet unit 21 is located below the water surface of the bathtub, a greater amount of hot and cold water will be entrained in the jet stream, making it possible to more efficiently take in the hot and cold water near the water surface of the bathtub and the floating matter from the water intake unit 11.

[0068] Furthermore, in the floating matter removal device 1 of the third embodiment described above, mesh 50b was provided in both the circular portion 51 and the sector-shaped portion 52 of the filter 50 (see FIG. 8). However, as long as mesh 50b is provided in at least the circular portion 51 of the filter 50, mesh 50b in sector-shaped portion 52 may be omitted. In this case, when hot water from the bathtub is sucked in through the open portion 43 and replenished, the replenished hot water passes through mesh 50b in the circular portion 51 of the filter 50, thereby removing floating matter. However, if mesh 50b is provided in sector-shaped portion 52 in addition to circular portion 51 as in the third embodiment described above, all of the hot water taken in from the water intake portion 11 will pass through mesh 50b, which is desirable for removing floating matter. [Explanation of symbols]

[0069] 1...floating matter removal device, 2...device body, 10...upper unit, 11...water intake section, 12...float section, 12a...space, 13...guiding surface, 14...connecting tube portion, 14a...connecting hole, 15...Space, 16...Bottom plate, 16a...Central hole, 20...flat surface, 21...injection section, 22...slanted surface, 25...Cover plate, 30...Lower unit, 31...Impeller, 31a...wing piece, 32...motor, 33...outer wall, 34...Drainage notch, 35...Drainage portion, 37...Pump, 40...intermediate unit, 41...recess, 41a...bottom hole, 42...Opening notch, 43...Opening part, 44...Communication path, 45... pump forming member, 46... pump chamber, 46a... suction hole, 47...discharge passage, 48...pressure feed passage, 50...filter, 50a...frame body, 50b...mesh, 51...circular portion, 52... sector part, 53... circular plate, 60... movable body, 61... Annular float portion, 62... Insertion portion, 63... Protruding float portion, 64...Shielding tube, 65...Penetration part.

Claims

1. A floating matter removal device that removes floating matter from the surface of bathtub water. a buoyancy unit that generates buoyancy to make the device body float in the hot water of the bathtub; A water intake section for taking in hot and cold water near the water surface of the bathtub into the device body; A drainage section for draining hot and cold water from the device body; a connecting passage connecting the water intake section and the water discharge section; a pump provided in the connecting passage for sucking hot and cold water taken in from the water intake section and pumping the hot and cold water toward the water discharge section; a filter provided in the connecting passage for filtering hot and cold water passing through; a branch passage branching from the connection passage at a position closer to the water intake portion than the pump; an opening located at the end of the branch passage and open to the outside of the device body; Equipped with When the device body floats on the hot and cold water in the bathtub due to the buoyancy of the buoyancy part, the opening part and the branch passage are located below the water surface of the bathtub. A floating matter removal device characterized by:

2. The floating matter removal device according to claim 1, a movable body that floats in the hot water of the bathtub and is capable of moving up and down independently of the device body in which the opening is provided, the movable body is provided with a shielding portion capable of shielding the open portion, As the device body rises up relative to the movable body, the shielding rate of the opening by the shielding part decreases. A floating matter removal device characterized by:

3. The floating matter removal device according to claim 2, The movable body is provided with a secondary shielding portion capable of shielding the drainage portion, As the device main body rises relative to the movable body, the shielding rate of the drainage section by the auxiliary shielding section increases. A floating matter removal device characterized by:

4. The floating matter removal device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, The drainage unit has a jet drainage unit that can jet at least a portion of the hot water pressure-fed from the pump toward the water intake unit, The jet drainage section is provided near the water surface of the bathtub, At least a part of the jet flow, which is the flow of hot and cold water jetted from the jet drain portion toward the water intake portion, is connected to the water surface of the bathtub. A floating matter removal device characterized by:

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