Nozzle for ultrasonic cleaning apparatus and ultrasonic cleaning apparatus

Abstract

To provide a nozzle for an ultrasonic cleaning device and the ultrasonic cleaning device capable of improving a cleaning effect.SOLUTION: The cleaning device comprises a nozzle base part 7 detachably connected to a suction tool 11, a nozzle top detachably connected to the nozzle base part 7 and having a suction port, a cleaning liquid ejection nozzle installed on the nozzle base part 7 and ejecting a cleaning liquid to an object to be cleaned, and an ultrasonic horn 41 built in the nozzle top, a cleaning liquid film is formed on the object to be cleaned by the cleaning liquid ejected by the cleaning liquid ejection nozzle, ultrasonic vibration is applied to the cleaning liquid by the ultrasonic horn 41, and a large number of bubbles are generated in the cleaning liquid by cavitation. Since the large number of air bubbles burst, the dirt adhering to the cleaning object can be peeled off, so that the cleaning effect can be improved.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a nozzle for an ultrasonic cleaning device that cleans areas to be cleaned, such as floors or carpets, and to an ultrasonic cleaning device, and more particularly to a device that is devised to improve the cleaning effect. [Background technology]

[0002] Generally, a cleaning device that cleans an object to be cleaned is composed of a discharge part that discharges a cleaning liquid or water and a suction part that sucks up the cleaning liquid or water discharged from the discharge part together with dirt. The discharge part and the suction part rinse and clean the object to be cleaned.

[0003] Depending on the degree of dirt on the area to be cleaned, a detergent or chemical may be applied to the area beforehand, and the area may be brushed and cleaned using a polisher.The area may then be rinsed and cleaned using the cleaning device.

[0004] Such a cleaning device that performs rinsing cleaning has the following problems. First, when detergents or chemicals are used, there is a problem in that stains remain unless the area to be cleaned is rinsed thoroughly. Furthermore, there are some areas to be cleaned that are difficult to clean with detergents or chemicals, and in such cases, only rinsing is required, which poses the problem of insufficient cleaning. Furthermore, polishers are heavy, and in the case of types that use rotating brushes, there is a problem that the part to be cleaned may melt or become lint due to friction.

[0005] To solve this type of problem, it has been proposed to install an ultrasonic horn on the head to enhance the cleaning effect, thereby eliminating the need for pre-treatment using a polisher and solving the above-mentioned problems. The configuration of this type of ultrasonic cleaning device is disclosed in, for example, Patent Document 1 and Patent Document 2. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0006] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2002-224005 [Patent Document 2] Utility Model Registration No. 3225282 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0007] The above conventional configuration has the following problems. That is, although the cleaning effect can be improved by providing an ultrasonic horn, it is still insufficient.

[0008] The present invention has been made in view of the above points, and an object of the present invention is to provide a nozzle for an ultrasonic cleaning device and an ultrasonic cleaning device that can improve cleaning effects. [Means for solving the problem]

[0009] In order to solve the above problem, the nozzle for an ultrasonic cleaning device according to claim 1 of the present invention is characterized by comprising a nozzle base that is detachably connected to a suction tool, a nozzle top that is detachably connected to the nozzle base and has a suction port, a cleaning liquid ejection nozzle that is installed on the nozzle base and ejects cleaning liquid onto the object to be cleaned, and an ultrasonic horn installed inside the nozzle top. The ultrasonic cleaning device nozzle according to claim 2 is the ultrasonic cleaning device nozzle according to claim 1, characterized in that guide fins are provided on both the left and right sides of the suction port to protrude therefrom. Furthermore, the nozzle for an ultrasonic cleaning device according to claim 3 is the nozzle for an ultrasonic cleaning device according to claim 2, characterized in that the guide fins protrude from the nozzle top toward the object to be cleaned. Furthermore, the nozzle for an ultrasonic cleaning device according to claim 4 is characterized in that in the nozzle for an ultrasonic cleaning device according to claim 1, the ultrasonic horn is composed of a thick-walled base end, a thin-walled tip end, and a curved inclined portion between the thick-walled base end and the thin-walled tip end. Furthermore, the ultrasonic cleaning device nozzle according to claim 5 is the ultrasonic cleaning device nozzle according to claim 4, characterized in that a plurality of through holes are drilled through the nozzle in the thickness direction. Furthermore, the ultrasonic cleaning device nozzle according to claim 6 is characterized in that in the ultrasonic cleaning device nozzle according to claim 4, the tip of the thin-walled tip portion is an R-shaped portion. Furthermore, the nozzle for an ultrasonic cleaning device according to claim 7 is the nozzle for an ultrasonic cleaning device according to claim 4, characterized in that a plurality of through grooves are provided at the tip of the thin-walled tip portion. Furthermore, the nozzle for an ultrasonic cleaning device according to claim 8 is characterized by comprising: a nozzle for an ultrasonic cleaning device according to any one of claims 1 to 7; a cleaning device body that supplies cleaning liquid to the cleaning liquid ejection nozzle and collects used cleaning liquid containing dirt; and an ultrasonic oscillator that applies voltage to the ultrasonic horn. [Effects of the Invention]

[0010] As described above, the nozzle for an ultrasonic cleaning device according to claim 1 of the present invention comprises a nozzle base that is detachably connected to a suction tool, a nozzle top that is detachably connected to the nozzle base and has a suction port, a cleaning liquid ejection nozzle that is installed on the nozzle base and ejects cleaning liquid onto the object to be cleaned, and an ultrasonic horn built into the nozzle top. Therefore, the cleaning liquid ejected by the cleaning liquid ejection nozzle forms a cleaning liquid film on the object to be cleaned, and when ultrasonic vibrations are applied to the cleaning liquid by the ultrasonic horn, a large number of bubbles are generated in the cleaning liquid by cavitation, and these bubbles burst, thereby peeling off dirt adhering to the object to be cleaned, thereby improving the cleaning effect. Furthermore, according to the ultrasonic cleaning device nozzle of claim 2, in the ultrasonic cleaning device nozzle of claim 1, guide fins are protruded on both the left and right sides of the suction port, so that a cleaning liquid film can be effectively formed between the guide fins, thereby improving the cleaning effect. Furthermore, according to the ultrasonic cleaning device nozzle of claim 3, in the ultrasonic cleaning device nozzle of claim 2, the guide fins protrude further toward the object to be cleaned than the nozzle top, so that a gap is formed between the nozzle top, the left and right guide fins, and the object to be cleaned, and the shape makes it easy to retain a film of cleaning liquid, which effectively generates cavitation and further improves the cleaning effect. Furthermore, according to the ultrasonic cleaning device nozzle of claim 4, in the ultrasonic cleaning device nozzle of claim 1, the ultrasonic horn is composed of a thick-walled base end, a thin-walled tip end, and a curved, inclined portion between the thick-walled base end and the thin-walled tip end, so that cavitation can be effectively generated by applying ultrasonic vibrations, thereby improving the cleaning effect. Furthermore, according to the nozzle for an ultrasonic cleaning device of claim 5, the nozzle for an ultrasonic cleaning device of claim 4 has a flat portion in the thickness direction and is perforated with multiple through holes, so that cavitation can be effectively generated by applying ultrasonic vibrations, thereby improving the cleaning effect. Furthermore, according to the ultrasonic cleaning device nozzle of claim 6, in the ultrasonic cleaning device nozzle of claim 4, the tip of the thin-walled tip portion is an R-shaped portion, so that the movement of the ultrasonic cleaning device nozzle can be made smoother and the cleaning effect can be improved. Furthermore, according to the ultrasonic cleaning device nozzle of claim 7, in the ultrasonic cleaning device nozzle of claim 4, since the tip of the thin-walled tip portion is provided with a plurality of through grooves, cavitation can be effectively generated by applying ultrasonic vibrations, thereby improving the cleaning effect. Furthermore, the ultrasonic cleaning device nozzle according to claim 8 comprises an ultrasonic cleaning device nozzle according to any one of claims 1 to 7, a cleaning device body that supplies cleaning liquid to the cleaning liquid ejection nozzle and collects used cleaning liquid containing dirt, and an ultrasonic oscillator that applies voltage to the ultrasonic horn. Therefore, the cleaning liquid ejected from the cleaning liquid ejection nozzle forms a cleaning liquid film on the object to be cleaned, and when the ultrasonic horn applies ultrasonic vibrations to the cleaning liquid, a large number of bubbles are generated in the cleaning liquid by cavitation, and these bubbles burst, thereby peeling off dirt adhering to the object to be cleaned, thereby improving the cleaning effect. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0011] [Figure 1] 1 is a perspective view showing an overall configuration of an ultrasonic cleaning device according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] 1 is a side view showing a tip of a nozzle for an ultrasonic cleaning device according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. [Figure 3] FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing an embodiment of the present invention, showing the tip of a nozzle for an ultrasonic cleaning device, as viewed from the bottom side. [Figure 4] 4(a) and 4(c) are diagrams showing an embodiment of the present invention, in which FIG. 4(a) is a perspective view of a nozzle top of a nozzle for an ultrasonic cleaning device, FIG. 4(b) is a plan view of the same, and FIG. 4(c) is a bottom view of the same. [Figure 5] 5A is a front view of a nozzle top of a nozzle for an ultrasonic cleaning device according to an embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 5B is a rear view of the same, and FIG. 5C is a side view of the same. [Figure 6] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an ultrasonic horn, showing an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 7] 7(a) and 7(b) are diagrams showing an embodiment of the present invention, in which FIG. 7(a) is a plan view of an ultrasonic horn, FIG. 7(b) is a front view of the same, FIG. 7(c) is a cross-sectional view of the same, and FIG. 7(d) is an enlarged view of part d in FIG. 7(b). [Figure 8] 1A to 1C are diagrams showing an embodiment of the present invention and illustrating steps of a cleaning operation. [Figure 9] 1 is a diagram showing an embodiment of the present invention, illustrating the action of a cleaning operation. FIG. [Figure 10] 10 is a diagram showing an embodiment of the present invention, and is an enlarged view of part X in FIG. 9. FIG. [Figure 11] 11(a) is a cross-sectional view of the nozzle top and cleaning liquid ejection nozzle to explain the cleaning action, FIG. 11(b) is a cross-sectional view of the nozzle top of the same, and FIG. 11(c) is a cross-sectional view of the nozzle top and cleaning liquid ejection nozzle showing a modified example. [Figure 12] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an embodiment of the present invention and is a diagram for explaining the cavitation effect. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0012] An embodiment of the present invention will now be described with reference to Figures 1 to 12. Figure 1 is a perspective view showing the overall configuration of an ultrasonic cleaning device according to this embodiment, and first shows an ultrasonic cleaning device nozzle 3. The ultrasonic cleaning device nozzle 3 is composed of a nozzle top 5 and a nozzle base 7. The nozzle top 5 is detachably connected to the nozzle base 7 via a connector 9.

[0013] A suction pipe 11 is detachably connected to the ultrasonic cleaning device nozzle 3 via a connector 13. Meanwhile, a cleaning device main body 21 is installed, and a suction hose 12 is detachably connected to the suction pipe 11, and this suction hose 12 is connected to the cleaning device main body 21.

[0014] 2 and 3, a cleaning liquid ejection device 31 is attached to the ultrasonic cleaning device nozzle 3 and the suction pipe 13. The cleaning liquid ejection device 31 is composed of a cleaning liquid supply tube 33, a cleaning liquid ejection nozzle 35 attached to the tip of the cleaning liquid ejection tube 33, a bracket 37, etc. The cleaning liquid supply tube 33 is connected to the cleaning device main body 21.

[0015] A substantially plate-shaped ultrasonic horn 41 is installed inside the nozzle head 5 of the ultrasonic cleaning device nozzle 3. Meanwhile, an ultrasonic oscillator 51 is installed in the cleaning device main body 21, and the ultrasonic horn 41 and the ultrasonic oscillator 51 are connected via a cable 53. A predetermined voltage is applied from the ultrasonic oscillator 51 to the ultrasonic horn 41 via the cable 53.

[0016] The device main body 21 houses a cleaning liquid tank (not shown) that contains cleaning liquid, a used cleaning liquid recovery tank (not shown) that recovers used cleaning liquid containing dirt, a cleaning liquid supply pump (not shown), a used cleaning liquid recovery pump (not shown), etc.

[0017] The configuration of each part will be described in detail below. First, as shown in Figures 4 and 5, the nozzle head 5 has a generally box-like shape with six closed sides, and is composed of a flat wall 61, a bottom wall 63, a front wall 65, a rear wall 67, and a pair of side walls 68, 68. As shown in Figure 5(a), the front wall 65 is formed with a suction port 69. Furthermore, the rear wall 67 is formed with an insertion port 71 into which the tip of the nozzle base 7 is inserted. When in use, the front wall 65 and suction port 69 face the object to be cleaned.

[0018] Guide fins 81, 83 protrude from both left and right ends of the suction port 69. As shown in Fig. 4(a), the guide fins 81, 83 are generally inverted triangular in side view. As described above, when in use, the front wall 65 and suction port 69 face the object to be cleaned, and at that time, as shown in Fig. 4(a), the tip surfaces 81a, 83a of the guide fins 81, 83 protrude from the front wall 65 toward the object to be cleaned.

[0019] As shown in Figures 6 and 7, the ultrasonic horn 41 is composed of a thick base end 81, a thin tip end 83, and a curved inclined portion 85 connecting the thick base end 81 and the thin tip end 83. A female thread portion 87 is provided in the thick base end 81. A plurality of through holes 89 are drilled in a portion of the thick base end 81, the curved inclined portion 85, and a portion of the thin tip end 83. A plurality of through grooves 91 are provided at the tip of the thin tip end 83.

[0020] The tip of the thin-walled tip portion 83 of the ultrasonic horn 41 is an R-shaped portion 92, which is slightly thickened and has an R-shape so as to provide a flat portion at the tip.

[0021] The operation of the above configuration will now be described. The cleaning operation will be described in the order of steps with reference to FIG. 8. Here, a carpet 101 is taken as an example of the area to be cleaned. As shown in FIG. 8(a), a "cleaning liquid spraying step" is performed. That is, the cleaning liquid supply pump is started to supply the cleaning liquid in the cleaning liquid tank to the cleaning liquid spraying nozzle 35 via the cleaning liquid supply tube 33, and the cleaning liquid is sprayed from the cleaning liquid spraying nozzle 35 onto the soiled areas of the carpet 101, which is the object to be cleaned. The amount of cleaning liquid to be sprayed is an amount sufficient to form a cleaning liquid film 103 of a predetermined depth on the carpet 101, as shown in FIG. 9. At this time, any solid debris on the carpet 101 is removed in advance. It is also desirable to perform dry suction of dust.

[0022] 9, in the above-mentioned "cleaning liquid ejection step," the ultrasonic cleaning device nozzle 3 is used in an upright position so that the front wall 65 and suction port 69 of the nozzle top 5 face the carpet 101. This causes the cleaning liquid ejection nozzle 35 to be directed toward the carpet 101. Hereinafter, in a series of cleaning operations, the nozzle top 5 is used in an upright position so that the front wall 65 and the suction port 69 face the carpet 101.

[0023] Next, as shown in FIG. 8(b), the "ultrasonic cleaning process" is performed. In this case, voltage is applied intermittently to the ultrasonic horn 41 to generate ultrasonic vibrations, and the ultrasonic cleaning device nozzle 3 is reciprocated back and forth. The number of times the voltage is applied is increased or decreased depending on the degree of dirt. Furthermore, alkaline electrolyte or the like is applied as needed. Since the tip of the ultrasonic horn 41 is immersed in the cleaning liquid film 103, ultrasonic vibrations are applied to the cleaning liquid film 103. This causes cavitation in the cleaning liquid film 103, generating numerous bubbles. The numerous bubbles burst, and the resulting impact peels off dirt adhering to the carpet 101. The peeled off dirt dissolves in the cleaning liquid film 103.

[0024] Next, as shown in Figure 8(c), the "rinsing and washing process" is performed. The rinsing and washing process involves simultaneously performing three processes: spraying the cleaning liquid, oscillating with ultrasonic waves, and suction. The spraying of the cleaning liquid and the ultrasonic waves have already been explained, and suction is performed by starting the used cleaning liquid recovery pump, which recovers the used cleaning liquid containing the dissolved dirt via the suction pipe 11 and suction hose 12 into the used cleaning liquid recovery tank in the cleaning device main body 21. The suctioned area is shown in white in the figure.

[0025] Next, as shown in Figure 8(d), the "suction process" is performed. The suction process involves simultaneously performing ultrasonic oscillation and suction. The suctioned area is shown in white in the figure.

[0026] In the ultrasonic cleaning, as shown in Figures 9 and 10, ultrasonic vibrations are applied to the formed cleaning liquid film 103 by the ultrasonic horn 41, which causes "cavitation" within the cleaning liquid film 103 and generates numerous bubbles 104. The impact of these numerous bubbles 104 bursting causes dirt adhering to the carpet 101 to peel off and dissolve into the cleaning liquid film 103. The used cleaning liquid containing the dirt is then sucked up in the suction process.

[0027] The ultrasonic cleaning will be explained in more detail. As shown in Figures 11(a) and 11(b), the front wall 65 of the nozzle head 5 of the ultrasonic cleaning device nozzle 3, the suction port 69, and the tips of the guide fins 81 and 83 are brought into contact with the carpet 101. At this time, since the tips of the guide fins 81 and 83 protrude toward the carpet 101 from the front wall 65, a gap 111 is formed between the front wall 65 and the carpet 101. As a result, the cleaning liquid film 103 is effectively formed between the front wall 65 and the left and right guide fins 81 and 83, and cavitation is effectively generated.

[0028] 11(c), the tips of the guide fins 81, 83 are flush with the front wall 65 and do not protrude beyond it. Even with this configuration, a cleaning liquid film 103 is formed on the carpet 101, so cavitation, bubble generation and bursting, and dirt removal effects can be achieved. Such embodiments are also within the scope of the present invention.

[0029] Figure 12 is a graph showing an example of measuring the amount of cavitation by photocounting, with the horizontal axis representing time (seconds) and the vertical axis representing photocounts (number of times), showing the change in photocount over time. The graph shows that the photocount was 120,000 immediately after starting, but after 180 seconds, it had dropped to 70,000. Therefore, it is desirable to constantly supply fresh cleaning liquid. The photocount indicates the amount of bubbles 104 generated, and the higher the count, the more bubbles 104 are generated. For photocounting, a photosensor (H11890-110) manufactured by Hamamatsu Photonics K.K. was used.

[0030] As described above, the present embodiment can provide the following effects. First, carpet 101 can be effectively cleaned. This is because cleaning liquid is sprayed from cleaning liquid spray nozzle 35 onto the soiled areas of carpet 101 to form cleaning liquid film 103, and then ultrasonic horn 41 applies ultrasonic vibrations within cleaning liquid film 103, thereby effectively generating cavitation. That is, when many bubbles generated by cavitation burst, the impact causes dirt on carpet 101 to peel off and dissolve into the cleaning liquid. Furthermore, since the lower ends of the guide fins 81, 83 provided on the nozzle head 5 protrude from the carpet 101 relative to the front wall 65, a gap 111 is formed between the front wall 65 and the carpet 101, where a cleaning liquid film 103 is effectively formed, thereby generating cavitation effectively and providing a high cleaning effect. Furthermore, the ultrasonic horn 41 is composed of a thick base end 81, a thin tip end 83, and a curved inclined portion 85, so that cavitation is generated effectively. Furthermore, the tip of the thin tip portion 83 has an R-shaped portion 92, which can prevent the tip from getting caught on the pile of the carpet 101.

[0031] The present invention is not limited to the above embodiment. In the above embodiment, the carpet is used as an example of the part to be cleaned, but the part to be cleaned may also be a floor. Additionally, the illustrated configuration is merely an example. [Industrial Applicability]

[0032] The present invention relates to a nozzle for an ultrasonic cleaning device and an ultrasonic cleaning device that cleans areas to be cleaned, such as floors or carpets, and in particular to a device that is designed to improve cleaning effectiveness, and is suitable for cleaning floors and carpets, for example. [Explanation of symbols]

[0033] 1 Ultrasonic cleaning device 3. Nozzle for ultrasonic cleaning device 5 nozzle head 7 Nozzle base 11 Suction pipe (suction tool) 12 Suction hose (suction tool) 21 Cleaning device body 33 Cleaning fluid supply hose 35 Cleaning fluid ejection nozzle 41 Ultrasonic Horn 51 Ultrasonic vibration oscillator 53 Cable 61 Plane wall 63 Bottom wall 65 Front wall 67 Back wall 68 Side wall 69 Suction port 81 Guide Fin 83 Guide Fin 81 Thick wall proximal end 83 Thin wall tip 85 curved slope 83a R-shaped part 89 Through Hole 91 Through groove 92 R-shaped part 101 Carpet 103 Cleaning liquid membrane 111 Gap

Claims

1. a nozzle base that is detachably connected to the suction tool; a nozzle top detachably connected to the nozzle base and having a suction port; a cleaning liquid ejection nozzle installed at the nozzle base and ejecting cleaning liquid onto the object to be cleaned; an ultrasonic horn installed inside the nozzle top; A nozzle for an ultrasonic cleaning device, comprising:

2. 2. The ultrasonic cleaning device nozzle according to claim 1, A nozzle for an ultrasonic cleaning device, characterized in that guide fins are provided on both the left and right sides of the suction port.

3. 3. The ultrasonic cleaning device nozzle according to claim 2, The nozzle for an ultrasonic cleaning device is characterized in that the guide fin protrudes from the nozzle top toward the object to be cleaned.

4. 2. The ultrasonic cleaning device nozzle according to claim 1, The ultrasonic horn is configured to have a thick base end, a thin tip end, and a curved, inclined portion between the thick base end and the thin tip end.

5. 5. The ultrasonic cleaning device nozzle according to claim 4, A nozzle for an ultrasonic cleaning device, characterized in that it has a plurality of through holes drilled therethrough in the thickness direction.

6. 5. The ultrasonic cleaning device nozzle according to claim 4, The nozzle for an ultrasonic cleaning device is characterized in that the tip of the thin-walled tip portion comprises a flat portion and an R-shaped portion.

7. 5. The ultrasonic cleaning device nozzle according to claim 4, The nozzle for an ultrasonic cleaning device is characterized in that a plurality of through grooves are formed at the tip of the thin-walled tip portion.

8. An ultrasonic cleaning device nozzle according to any one of claims 1 to 7; a cleaning device main body that supplies cleaning liquid to the cleaning liquid ejection nozzle and collects used cleaning liquid containing dirt; an ultrasonic oscillator that applies a voltage to the ultrasonic horn; An ultrasonic cleaning device comprising:

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