Bubble generators and water supply systems, sterilization equipment, and purification equipment equipped with bubble generators.

Abstract

The present invention provides a bubble generator that produces a large amount of bubbles in a liquid, and a water supply system, sterilization equipment, and purification equipment equipped with a bubble generator. [Solution] The bubble generator, which mixes bubbles containing fine bubbles into a liquid, comprises a generator body 8 having an upstream section 6 in the direction of liquid flow and a downstream section 7 located downstream of the upstream section and combined with the upstream section. The generator body comprises a liquid inlet 12, an acceleration port 13 located downstream of the inlet that accelerates the liquid flowing out of the inlet and has an inner diameter smaller than that of the inlet, a mixing port 22 located downstream of the acceleration port that mixes gas into the liquid flowing out of the acceleration port and has a diameter equal to or larger than that of the acceleration port, and an outlet 23 located downstream of the mixing port through which the liquid flowing out of the mixing port flows out. The joint between the upstream section and the downstream section is formed by the fitting of a recess and a protrusion, and the gap in the fitting of the recess and protrusion at the joint section forms a gas inlet for mixing external gas into the mixing port.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a bubble generator, a water supply device, a sterilization facility, and a purification facility provided with the bubble generator.

Background Art

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses a fine bubble generator. The fine bubble generator 1 of Patent Document 1 is composed of a cylindrical body 2 and a flange 3, and a through hole 4 is provided at the center of the cylindrical body 2 and the flange 3.

[0003] The through hole 4 is configured such that a liquid (fluid in Patent Document 1) swirls as it progresses through the through hole 4. That is, the through hole 4 has a constricted shape with a narrow center and a shape that widens at both ends. In other words, the through hole 4 is formed with a narrow center and wide ends so that the centrifugal force due to the rotation of the liquid becomes larger and the central portion is greatly decompressed.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0004]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0005] In the fine bubble generator 1 of Patent Document 1 described above, although the through hole 4 is formed with a narrow center and wide ends so that the centrifugal force due to the rotation of the liquid becomes larger and the central portion is greatly decompressed, it is pointed out that the bubble content in the liquid is small.

[0006] Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a bubble generator in which the bubble content in a liquid is large, and a water supply device, a sterilization facility, and a purification facility provided with the bubble generator.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0007] The present invention relates to a bubble generator for mixing bubbles containing fine bubbles into a liquid, comprising a generator body comprising an upstream section located on the upstream side in the direction of liquid flow, and a downstream section located on the downstream side in the flow direction relative to the upstream section and combined with the upstream section, wherein the generator body comprises a liquid inlet, an acceleration port located downstream of the inlet for accelerating the liquid flowing out of the inlet and having an inner diameter smaller than that of the inlet, a mixing port located downstream of the acceleration port for mixing gas into the liquid flowing out of the acceleration port and having a diameter equal to or larger than that of the acceleration port, and an outlet located downstream of the mixing port for the liquid flowing out of the mixing port, wherein the joint in the combination of the upstream section and the downstream section is formed by the fitting of a recess and a protrusion, and the gap in the fitting of the recess and the protrusion in the joint section forms a gas inlet for mixing external gas into the mixing port.

[0008] In the present invention, the gas inlet can also be configured to draw external gas into the mixing inlet due to the Venturi effect, which occurs when the fluid is accelerated at the acceleration port and reduced in pressure.

[0009] In the present invention, multiple grooves extending radially can be formed on at least one of the bottom surface of the recess and the top surface of the protrusion, spaced apart in the circumferential direction.

[0010] The present invention can also be a water supply device equipped with any of the bubble generators described above.

[0011] The present invention can also be a sterilization system equipped with any of the bubble generators described above.

[0012] The present invention can also be a purification system equipped with any of the bubble generators described above. [Effects of the Invention]

[0013] According to the bubble generator and the water supply system, sterilization equipment, and purification equipment equipped with the bubble generator of the present invention, when the liquid is accelerated at the acceleration port, the flow velocity of the liquid is increased by the Venturi effect, and gas is mixed into the liquid from the gas inlet to the mixing port. As a result, a large amount of gas is mixed into the liquid as fine bubbles, which improves the bubble content of the liquid flowing out from the outlet. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0014] [Figure 1] This is a partially broken diagram showing the arrangement of the bubble generator according to the first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] This is an overall perspective view of the bubble generator from the upstream side. [Figure 3] This is a cross-sectional view combining the upstream and downstream sections of the bubble generator. [Figure 4] This is a cross-sectional view of the upstream section of the bubble generator. [Figure 5] This is a cross-sectional view of the downstream side of the bubble generator, and it also includes a portion of the upstream side. [Figure 6] This is a cross-sectional view combining the upstream and downstream sections of a bubble generator according to a second embodiment of the present invention. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0015] A bubble generator according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to Figures 1 to 6. As shown in Figure 1, the bubble generator 1 according to this embodiment will be described as being used in a shower device 3, which is a water supply device, to mix bubbles containing fine bubbles with water (liquid) 2. In this case, the term "bubble" includes microbubbles and ultrafine bubbles, with microbubbles being bubbles of 1 μm or larger and those smaller than that being called ultrafine bubbles.

[0016] As shown in the figure, the bubble generator 1 is located at the connection point between the shower head 4 and the shower hose 5, and is housed on the shower head 4 side.

[0017] As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the bubble generator 1 has a cylindrical outer contour, and the bubble generator 1 has a generator main body 8 including an upstream portion 6 and a downstream portion 7. The generator main body 8 has an upstream end face 6a, a downstream end face 7a, and a through portion (to be described in detail later) formed in the inner diameter portions of the upstream portion 6 and the downstream portion 7.

[0018] The location of the bubble generator 1 will be described in detail. As shown in FIG. 1, a screw 10 formed at the inflow side end of the main body 9 of the shower head 4 and a connector 5a at the outflow side of the shower hose 5 are configured to be screwed together, and the bubble generator 1 is detachably fitted and accommodated inside the screw of the shower head 4. Inside the inflow side of the main body 9 of the shower head 4, there is a holding step portion 11 for attaching a water-saving device (not shown). By using this holding step portion 11, the downstream end face 7a of the generator main body 8 can be made to abut against the inside of the screw 10, and the upstream end face 6a of the generator main body 8 is arranged flush with the inflow side end 10a of the screw 10. Also, when the screw 10 and the connector 5a are screwed together, the upstream end face 6a can abut against the inner step portion 5b of the connector 5a.

[0019] The entire bubble generator 1 from the upstream end face 6a to the downstream end face 7a is accommodated inside the screw 10 of the main body 9 of the shower head 4. By making the downstream end face 7a abut against the holding step portion 11 of the main body 9 and the upstream end face 6a abut against the inner step portion 5b of the connector 5a, the flow direction (upstream and downstream direction) of the water 2 in the shower device 3 is positioned.

[0020] Based on FIG. 3, the details of the configuration of the bubble generator 1 will be described.

[0021] [Upstream portion] First, the upstream section 6 of the generator body 8 will be described. The upstream section 6 has an upstream section body 6A, an inlet 12 and an acceleration port 13 formed within the upstream section body 6A as through-holes, and a first trap 15 for taking in air 14 into the generator body 8. The upstream outer diameter surface 16 of the upstream section body 6A is cylindrical in shape with a uniform diameter in the flow direction. The inlet 12 and the acceleration port 13 are connected through the radial center of the upstream section body 6A.

[0022] The inlet 12 has an inlet 17 and a constriction 18 (buffer section). The inlet 17 is open at the upstream end face 6a of the upstream section 6. The inlet 17 is formed perpendicular to the flow of water 2 and is also formed to introduce water 2 from inside the shower hose 5 (see Figure 1). The inner diameter surface 17a of the inlet 17 is cylindrical with a uniform diameter (dimension D1 in Figure 3) in the flow direction. The constriction 18 is positioned to communicate with the downstream side of the inlet 17. The inner diameter surface 18a of the constriction 18 is tapered, with a frustoconical shape that narrows downstream. The inner diameter of the upstream side of the constriction 18 is the same as the inner diameter of the inlet 17. The lengths of the inlet 17 and the constriction 18 in the flow direction are approximately equal.

[0023] The acceleration port 13 is connected to the central downstream side of the constriction port 18. The inner diameter surface 13a of the acceleration port 13 is cylindrical with a uniform diameter in the flow direction (dimension D2 in Figure 3). In other words, the inner diameter of the acceleration port 13 is the same as the inner diameter of the downstream end of the constriction port 18. The acceleration port 13 is a through-hole designed to increase the flow velocity from the inlet 12 (to create a differential pressure) by having an inner diameter smaller than the inner diameter of the inlet 12. The length of the acceleration port 13 in the flow direction is set to 1.5 times the diameter of the acceleration port 13.

[0024] As shown in Figure 3, the first trap 15 is a structure that, in combination with the second trap 19 formed in the downstream section 7, takes in gas, i.e., air 14, into the generator body section 8.

[0025] The first trap 15 will be described based on Figures 3 and 4. The first trap 15 is the surrounding portion of the acceleration port 13 and has an annular recess 20 facing upstream. In other words, the acceleration port 13 is positioned at the center of the recess 20. The recess 20 has an upstream bottom surface 20a, an inner surface 20b on the acceleration port 13 side, and an outer surface 20c on the upstream outer diameter surface 16 side.

[0026] The bottom surface 20a is formed as an annular surface parallel to the upstream end surface 6a. This bottom surface 20a is a plane perpendicular to the central axis C in the flow direction of the acceleration port 13 (the radial center of the generator body 8) and is located between the upstream end and the downstream end of the acceleration port 13. The inner surface 20b is formed as a frustoconical surface that tapers downstream with respect to the central axis C. This taper appears to taper downstream when viewed as a frustoconical surface in Figure 3, but widens towards the downstream side when viewed from within the recess 20 itself. The downstream end of this inner surface 20b is formed in continuity with the downstream surface 13b, which is parallel to the upstream end surface 6a of the upstream section 6 (acceleration port 13). This downstream surface 13b is an annular surface with respect to the central axis C and is located on the downstream end side in the flow direction of the acceleration port 13. The outer surface 20c is parallel to the central axis C and is formed parallel to the upstream outer diameter surface 16. The downstream end of the outer surface 20c extends downstream from the downstream surface 13b of the acceleration port 13 and is formed as an extended surface 6b parallel to the upstream end surface 6a. The extended surface 6b is an annular surface perpendicular to the central axis C. In Figure 4, the difference in extension between the downstream surface 13b and the extended surface 6b is represented by dimension L.

[0027] [Downstream] Next, the downstream section 7 of the generator body 8 will be described. As shown in Figures 3 and 5, the downstream section 7 comprises a downstream section body 21, a mixing inlet 22 and an outlet 23 as through-holes, and a second trap 19.

[0028] The downstream outer diameter surface 21a of the downstream body 21 is cylindrical in shape with a uniform outer diameter in the flow direction, similar to the upstream outer diameter surface 16 of the upstream body 6A. A contaminant inlet 22 and an outlet 23 located downstream of the contaminant inlet 22 pass through the radial center of the downstream body 21.

[0029] The contamination inlet 22 has an upstream contamination inlet 24 on the upstream side and a downstream contamination inlet 25 on the downstream side that is in communication with the upstream contamination inlet 24. The upstream contamination inlet 24 is open on the upstream side and is in communication with the acceleration port 13. The inner diameter surface 25a of the downstream contamination inlet 25 is cylindrical in shape with a uniform diameter (dimension D3 in Figure 3) in the flow direction along the lower end of the inner diameter surface of the upstream contamination inlet 24.

[0030] The inner diameter surface 24a of the upstream mixing inlet 24 is formed to be larger in diameter than the acceleration port 13 and is formed as a frustoconical surface that tapers toward the downstream side.

[0031] Both the upstream and downstream diameters of the tapered contaminant inlet 22 are larger in diameter than those of the acceleration port 13. Specifically, D1 > diameter of upstream contaminant inlet 24 > D2, and D1 > diameter of downstream contaminant inlet 25 D3 > D2. Furthermore, the length of the upstream contaminant inlet 24 in the flow direction is longer than the length of the downstream contaminant inlet 25.

[0032] The outlet 23 has an upstream outlet 26 on the upstream side (the side of the contamination inlet 22) and a downstream outlet 27 that is arranged to communicate with the downstream side of the upstream outlet 26. The upstream outlet 26 is connected to the downstream contamination inlet 25. The inner diameter surface 26a of the upstream outlet 26 is formed as a frustoconical surface and tapered, expanding downstream from the lower end of the inner diameter surface of the downstream contamination inlet 25. The inner diameter surface 27a of the downstream outlet 27 is cylindrical in shape with a uniform diameter (dimension D4 in Figure 3) along the flow direction, along the lower end of the inner diameter surface of the upstream outlet 26. The downstream outlet 27 is also called a trumpet opening.

[0033] Regarding the tapered upstream and downstream diameters of the outlet 23, the upstream diameter is the same as the diameter of the downstream contaminant inlet 25. Furthermore, the tapered downstream diameter of the outlet 23 is larger than D1. Alternatively, the tapered downstream diameter of the outlet 23 is equal to D1. That is, D1 ≤ D4. The flow-direction lengths of the contaminant inlet 22 and the outlet 23 are approximately equal.

[0034] As shown in Figure 3, the second trap 19 is a structure that, in combination with the first trap 15 formed in the upstream section 6, draws air 14 into the generator body 8. The second trap 19 has a protrusion 28 that fits into the recess 20 of the first trap 15. The protrusion 28 is arranged in an annular shape in the outer peripheral region of the upstream mixing inlet 24. In this embodiment, the protrusion 28 is formed in a trapezoidal cross-section to correspond to the recess 20.

[0035] As shown in Figure 5, the convex portion 28 has an upper surface 28a that faces the bottom surface 20a of the concave portion 20 in the upstream-downstream direction, an inner opposing surface 28b that faces the inner surface 20b in the radial direction, and an outer opposing surface 28c that faces the outer surface 20c in the radial direction. The upper surface 28a is a surface parallel to the downstream end surface 7a and is an annular surface perpendicular to the central axis C. The inner opposing surface 28b is similar in inclination to the inner diameter surface 24a of the upstream contamination inlet 24. In addition, in the combination of the upstream portion 6 and the downstream portion 7, the inner opposing surface 28b and the inner surface 20b are arranged to be aligned, and with this configuration, the downstream surface 13b of the acceleration port 13 is positioned in the middle of the flow direction of the upstream contamination inlet 24. The outer opposing surface 28c is a surface parallel to the downstream outer diameter surface 21a of the downstream body portion 21 and is also parallel to the central axis C. On the downstream outer side of the outer opposing surface 28c, an extended opposing surface 21b is formed, which is parallel to the downstream end surface 7a and faces the extended surface 6b. The extended opposing surface 21b is an annular surface perpendicular to the central axis C.

[0036] Here, we will summarize the relationship between the inner diameter surfaces and other aspects of the generator body 8, which is equipped with an upstream section 6 and a downstream section 7.

[0037] The inlet 12 has an inlet 17 with a cylindrical inner diameter surface 17a diameter D1, a constriction 18 with a tapered inner diameter surface 18a, and an acceleration port 13 with a cylindrical inner diameter surface 13a diameter D2. The diameter D2 of the inner diameter surface 13a of the acceleration port 13 is set to be smaller than the diameter D1 of the inner diameter surface 17a of the inlet 12.

[0038] A throttling port 18 is positioned between the inlet 17 and the acceleration port 13. The upstream end of the inner diameter surface 18a of the throttling port 18 communicates with the inlet 17, and the downstream end of the inner diameter surface 18a of the throttling port 18 communicates with the acceleration port 13. The upstream mixing port 24 of the mixing port 22 has a tapered inner diameter surface 24a, and the diameter of this inner diameter surface 24a is set to be larger than the diameter D2 of the inner diameter surface 13a of the acceleration port 13. A downstream surface 13b is provided on the downstream end side in the flow direction of the acceleration port 13, and a stepped portion (stepped) is formed on the downstream end side in the flow direction of the acceleration port 13 and the downstream surface 13b.

[0039] Furthermore, the tapered inner diameter surface 24a of the upstream contamination inlet 24 has a greater inclination than the tapered inner diameter surface 18a of the constriction opening 18. However, with respect to the central axis C, the inner diameter surface 18a of the constriction opening 18 has a greater tapered surface than the inner diameter surface 24a of the upstream contamination inlet 24. In addition, the outlet 23 is connected to the acceleration port 13 via the contamination inlet 22, and the downstream outlet 27, referred to as the trumpet port, is connected to the downstream side of the outlet 23.

[0040] At the mixing inlet 22, the diameter of the inner surface 24a of the upstream mixing inlet 24, which is closer to the acceleration port 13, is set to be larger than the diameter D3 of the inner surface 25a of the downstream mixing inlet 25, which is further away from the acceleration port 13. Also, the diameter D3 of the inner surface 25a of the downstream mixing inlet 25 of the mixing inlet 22 is larger than the diameter D2 of the inner surface 13a of the acceleration port 13, and the diameter D3 of the inner surface 25a of the downstream mixing inlet 22 is set to be smaller than the diameter D1 of the inner surface 17a of the inlet 17 of the inlet 12.

[0041] The diameter D1 of the inner diameter surface 17a of the inlet 17 at the inlet 12 and the diameter D4 of the inner diameter surface 27a of the downstream outlet 27 at the outlet 23 are set to be larger than the diameter D1 of the inner diameter surface 17a of the inlet 17.

[0042] The diameter D3 of the inner diameter surface 25a of the downstream mixing inlet 25 of the mixing inlet 22 is set to be 1.2 to 2.0 times the diameter D2 of the inner diameter surface 13a of the acceleration port 13. Specifically, the diameter D2 of the inner diameter surface 13a of the acceleration port 13 is set to 3 mm, and the diameter D3 of the inner diameter surface 25a of the downstream mixing inlet 25 of the mixing inlet 22 is set to 3.5 mm.

[0043] Furthermore, the tapered inner diameter surface 24a of the upstream contaminant inlet 24 and the tapered inner diameter surface 26a of the upstream outlet 26 are inclined in opposite directions, with the tapered inner diameter surface 24a of the upstream contaminant inlet 24 having a greater inclination than the tapered inner diameter surface 26a of the upstream outlet 26. However, with respect to the central axis C, the tapered inner diameter surface 26a of the upstream outlet 26 has a larger tapered surface than the tapered inner diameter surface 24a of the upstream contaminant inlet 24.

[0044] The relationships between the inner diameter surfaces and other aspects of the generator body 8, which comprises the upstream section 6 and the downstream section 7, have been summarized above.

[0045] Here, the combination of the first trap 15 and the second trap 19 forms a joint in the combination of the upstream section 6 and the downstream section 7, and the space between the inner opposing surface 28b and the inner surface 20b (outside the diameter of the acceleration port 13) is designated as the air inlet P, and the air 14 is sent from the inlet P to the upstream mixing inlet 24. In other words, the joint between the first trap 15 and the second trap 19 that constitute the combination of the upstream section 6 and the downstream section 7, consisting of the bottom surface 20a and the top surface 28a, the extended surface 6b and the extended opposing surface 21b, the outer surface 20c and the outer opposing surface 28c, and the inner surface 20b and the inner opposing surface 28b, serves as a gas inlet that mixes air 14 from outside the diameter (outside) into the mixing inlet 22, i.e., the diameter of the generator body 8, when water 2 flows through the inlet 12, the acceleration port 13, the mixing inlet 22, and the outlet 23.

[0046] In the first trap 15 and the second trap 19, as shown in Figure 5, gaps δ1, δ2, and δ3 are formed between the extended surface 6b and the extended opposing surface 21b, between the outer surface 20c and the outer opposing surface 28c, and between the inner surface 20b and the inner opposing surface 28b, respectively. In other words, the spaces between the extended surface 6b and the extended opposing surface 21b, between the outer surface 20c and the outer opposing surface 28c, and between the inner surface 20b and the inner opposing surface 28b are open sections. On the other hand, when the upstream section 6 and the downstream section 7 are combined, the bottom surface 20a and the top surface 28a are closed. In other words, the space between the bottom surface 20a and the top surface 28a is closed. Note that gaps δ1, δ2, and δ3 are the same gap.

[0047] In other words, when water 2 flows into the inlet 12, acceleration port 13, mixing inlet 22, and outlet 23, the joint between the first trap 15 and the second trap 19 is configured as a gas volume adjustment means for introducing air 14 from outside the diameter into the mixing inlet 22. As described above, when water 2 flows, air 14 from outside the diameter is introduced through the gap δ1 between the open extension surface 6b and the extension opposing surface 21b, and when it reaches the gap δ2 between the outer surface 20c and the outer opposing surface 28c, the closed bottom surface 20a and top surface 28a are opened by the pressure of the water 2, and further, the air 14 reaches the gap δ3 between the inner surface 20b and the inner opposing surface 28b, and then reaches the inflow portion P of the upstream mixing inlet 24.

[0048] At this time, the downstream end of the outer surface 20c is extended downstream from the downstream surface 13b of the acceleration port 13, as shown by dimension L in Figure 4, and is designated as the extended surface 6b. In other words, the gap δ1 between the extended surface 6b and the opposing extended surface 21b extends downstream from the air inflow portion P of the upstream mixing inlet 24.

[0049] Furthermore, in order for the bottom surface 20a and the top surface 28a to be open, a small gap is provided between the retaining step portion 11, to which the downstream end surface 7a of the bubble generator 1 can abut, and the inner step portion 5b of the connector 5a, to which the upstream end surface 6a of the bubble generator 1 can abut. This configuration allows the amount of air 14 to flow into the air inlet portion P by separating the upstream portion 6 and the downstream portion 7 in the flow direction (upstream-downstream).

[0050] With the above configuration of the gas volume adjustment means, the generator body 8 is assembled inside the screw 10 of the shower head 4, the connector 5a of the shower hose 5 is screwed onto the screw 10 of the shower head 4, water 2 flows through the penetration, i.e., the inlet 12, acceleration port 13, mixing inlet 22, and outlet 23, air 14 from outside is introduced through the gap δ1 between the extension surface 6b and the extension opposing surface 21b, which is an open part, and when it reaches the gap δ2 between the outer surface 20c and the outer opposing surface 28c, the closed bottom surface 20a and top surface 28a are opened, and further, when it reaches the gap δ3 between the inner surface 20b and the inner opposing surface 28b, the air 14 reaches the inlet portion P of the upstream mixing inlet 24.

[0051] Then, water 2 flows in from the inlet 12 and is accelerated at the acceleration port 13. The Venturi effect increases the flow velocity of the water 2, and air 14 is mixed into the water 2 in the mixing port 22 from the gas inlet formed at the joint between the first trap 15 and the second trap 19 in the upstream section 6 and the downstream section 7. As a result, a large amount of air 14 is mixed into the water 2 as tiny bubbles.

[0052] In the first embodiment of the present invention, a first trap 15 is formed at the downstream end of the upstream section 6, and a second trap 19 is formed at the upstream end of the downstream section 7. The first trap 15 and the second trap 19 are combined to form a joint, and a passage is formed between the first trap 15 and the second trap 19 through which gas (air 14) flows in from the outside to the inside of the diameter. In this case, the passage consists of the extended surface 6b and the extended opposing surface 21b, the outer surface 20c and the outer opposing surface 28c, the bottom surface 20a and the top surface 28a, and the inner surface 20b and the inner opposing surface 28b. Furthermore, an outlet (inflow portion P) of the passage is formed between the acceleration port 13 and the mixing inlet 22. In addition, the diameter D3 of the downstream interior of the acceleration port 13 is formed to be smaller than the upstream interior diameter of the mixing inlet 22, and the downstream interior of the acceleration port 13 and the upstream interior diameter of the mixing inlet 22 are connected at a stepped portion, in this case the downstream surface 13b, with an outlet formed at the stepped portion.

[0053] With this type of bubble generator 1, the water 2 flowing from the acceleration port 13 has its pressure released upstream of the inner diameter surface 24a of the mixing port 22, which is wider than the inner diameter surface 13a of the acceleration port 13. This release accelerates the water 2 again on the inner diameter surfaces 24a and 25a, promoting the mixing of air 14 and allowing the bubbles to be miniaturized. As a result, the amount of fine bubbles, i.e., microbubbles and ultrafine bubbles, in the water 2 coming from the outlet 23 can be increased.

[0054] Furthermore, since the bubble generator 1 of this embodiment is simply made by combining a cylindrical upstream section 6 and a downstream section 7, the manufacturing cost is low. Also, because it is simply made by combining the upstream section 6 and the downstream section 7, it is easy to assemble to the shower head 4.

[0055] The present invention is not limited to the above embodiments. In the above embodiments, the inner diameter surface 24a of the upstream contaminant port 24 was tapered, and the inner diameter surface 25a of the downstream contaminant port 25 was cylindrical with a uniform diameter in the flow direction. However, as shown in the second embodiment of Figure 6, the inner diameter surface 24a of the upstream contaminant port 24 and the inner diameter surface 25a of the downstream contaminant port 25 can also be cylindrical with a uniform diameter in the flow direction, as shown by the solid lines in Figure 6. In this case, the inner diameter surface 24a of the upstream contaminant port 24 and the inner diameter surface 25a of the downstream contaminant port 25 are the same diameter as the inner diameter surface 13a of the acceleration port 13.

[0056] Furthermore, in the first embodiment described above, the convex portion 28 was formed with a trapezoidal cross-section, but as shown in Figure 6, it can also be formed with a rectangular cross-section. In this case, the concave portion 20 is made with a rectangular cross-section to correspond to the convex portion 28. Also, a gap δ4, which is an open portion, is formed between the downstream surface 13b of the upstream portion 6 and the upstream surface 7b of the downstream portion 7. This gap δ4 is the same as gaps δ1 to δ3. The other configurations are the same as in the first embodiment described above.

[0057] In the second embodiment, the inner diameter surface 24a of the upstream contamination inlet 24 and the inner diameter surface 25a of the downstream contamination inlet 25 are cylindrical in shape with a uniform diameter in the flow direction. However, the contamination inlet 22 may be configured such that the upstream end is formed to have a diameter equal to that of the acceleration port 13, and the inner diameter surface 25a of the downstream contamination inlet 25 is tapered, increasing in diameter from the upstream side to the downstream side, as shown by the dashed line in Figure 6. Furthermore, the inner diameter surface 26a of the upstream outlet 26 may be configured to continue from the inner diameter surface 25a of the downstream contamination inlet 25 with a different taper angle. In this case, the taper inclination of the inner diameter surface 25a of the downstream contamination inlet 25 is greater than the taper inclination of the inner diameter surface 26a of the upstream outlet 26. However, with respect to the central axis C, the inner diameter surface 26a is larger than the inner diameter surface 25a.

[0058] According to this bubble generator 1, the water 2 flowing from the acceleration port 13 is gradually released at the mixing inlet 13, promoting the mixing of air 14. In this case, the inlet portion P is formed near the point where the downstream inner diameter of the acceleration port 13 and the upstream inner diameter of the mixing inlet 22 are in communication.

[0059] In the above embodiment, gaps δ1, δ2, δ3, and δ4 were the same, but by changing gaps δ1, δ2, δ3, and δ4, it is also possible to use a gas volume adjustment means to introduce air 14 from outside the diameter into the mixing inlet 22.

[0060] In the above embodiment, the diameter D1 of the inner diameter surface 17a of the inlet 17 at the inlet 12 and the diameter D4 of the inner diameter surface 27a of the downstream outlet 27 at the outlet 23 were set to be larger than the diameter D1 of the inner diameter surface 17a of the inlet 17. However, D1 and D4 may be the same dimension.

[0061] In the above embodiment, the air inlet P of the air 14 was near the gap δ3 between the inner surface 20b and the inner opposing surface 28b. However, the upstream section 6 can be configured to have an inlet 12, an acceleration port 13, and an upstream contaminant inlet, and this upstream contaminant inlet can be cylindrical in shape with a uniform diameter in the flow direction. Alternatively, the downstream section 7 can be configured to have a downstream contaminant inlet and an outlet 23, and this downstream contaminant inlet communicates with the upstream contaminant inlet and can be formed in a tapered shape by being a frustoconical surface that narrows in the flow direction. In this case, the upstream contaminant in the upstream section 6 and the downstream contaminant in the downstream section 7 form a joint, and air 14 flows in from this joint.

[0062] In the above embodiment, the gas volume adjustment means is configured such that the joint between the first trap 15 and the second trap 19 introduces air 14 from outside the diameter into the mixing inlet 22 (within the diameter of the generator body 8). However, the gas volume adjustment means is not limited to the above embodiment. For example, grooves along the radial direction can be formed on the bottom surface 20a of the recess 20 in the above embodiment at predetermined intervals in the circumferential direction of the bottom surface 20a, so that the bottom surface 20a and the top surface 28a face each other.

[0063] Furthermore, in the above embodiment, a recess 20 is formed in the upstream portion 6 and a protrusion 28 is formed in the downstream portion 7. However, it is also possible to have a plane without a recess 20 in the upstream portion 6 and without a protrusion 28 in the downstream portion 7, and to have a configuration in which radial grooves are formed at predetermined intervals in the circumferential direction on the plane of the downstream portion 7, for example. Conversely, it is also possible to have a configuration in which radial grooves are formed at predetermined intervals in the circumferential direction on the plane of the upstream portion 6, for example. It is also possible to have a configuration in which radial grooves that do not fit together in the flow direction are formed at predetermined intervals in the circumferential direction on either the plane of the upstream portion 6 or the downstream portion 7. In this case, the C-ring may have a portion cut out in the circumferential direction, or it may be configured so that the upstream portion of the C-ring cross-section, the downstream portion, or both the upstream and downstream portions of the C-ring cross-section are inserted radially without a portion cut out in the circumferential direction.

[0064] In the above embodiment, the outer opposing surface 28c of the upstream section 6 and the outer surface 20c of the downstream section 7 were surfaces that fit together with a gap δ2 in between. However, it is also possible to form threads that screw into each other on the outer opposing surface 28c and the outer surface 20c, and to introduce air 14 into the interior through the gap between the threads.

[0065] In the above embodiment, the bubble generator 1 was described as being used in a shower device 3, which is a water supply device. However, the bubble generator of the present invention can also be attached to equipment attached to a tap water faucet and used for bathing. Furthermore, because fine bubbles (microbubbles, ultrafine bubbles) have excellent sterilization properties, they can also be used for sterilization in medical settings, purification of wastewater treatment, washing of vegetables, aquaculture, agriculture, forestry, and the like.

[0066] The present invention relates to a bubble generator for mixing bubbles containing fine bubbles into a liquid, comprising a generator body comprising an upstream section located on the upstream side in the direction of liquid flow, and a downstream section located on the downstream side in the flow direction relative to the upstream section and combined with the upstream section, wherein the generator body comprises a liquid inlet, an acceleration port located downstream of the inlet for accelerating the liquid flowing out of the inlet and having an inner diameter smaller than that of the inlet, and a port located downstream of the acceleration port for mixing gas into the liquid flowing out of the acceleration port and having an inner diameter smaller than that of the flow port The bubble generator comprises a mixing port smaller in diameter than the inlet and equal to or larger in diameter than the acceleration port, and an outlet located downstream of the mixing port, which is an outlet for the liquid that has flowed out of the mixing port and has an inner diameter larger than the mixing port, wherein the joint in the combination of the upstream and downstream portions forms a gas inlet for mixing external gas into the mixing port, and threads are formed on the upstream and downstream portions of the joint that screw into each other, with the gap between these threads constituting at least a part of the gas inlet.

[0067] According to the bubble generator with the above configuration of the present invention, when liquid flows in from the inlet and is accelerated at the acceleration port, the flow velocity of the liquid is increased by the Venturi effect, and gas is mixed into the liquid at the mixing port through the gas inlet formed at the junction of the upstream and downstream sections, so that a large amount of gas is mixed into the liquid as fine bubbles, thereby improving the bubble content of the liquid coming out of the outlet.

[0068] In the present invention, the gas inlet may also be configured to include an open portion in which a gap is formed between the upstream portion and the downstream portion of the joint, and a closed portion in which the upstream portion and the downstream portion come into contact with each other due to the screwing of the screws together.

[0069] The present invention provides a bubble generator for mixing bubbles containing fine bubbles into a liquid, comprising a generator body comprising an upstream section located on the upstream side in the direction of liquid flow, and a downstream section located downstream of the upstream section in the flow direction and combined with the upstream section, wherein the generator body comprises a liquid inlet, an acceleration port located downstream of the inlet for accelerating the liquid flowing out of the inlet and having an inner diameter smaller than that of the inlet, and an inlet located downstream of the acceleration port for mixing gas into the liquid flowing out of the acceleration port and having an inner diameter smaller than that of the inlet The bubble generator comprises a mixing port smaller in diameter than the opening and equal to or larger in diameter than the acceleration port, and an outlet located downstream of the mixing port, which is an outlet for liquid flowing out of the mixing port and has an inner diameter larger than the mixing port, wherein the joint in the combination of the upstream and downstream portions forms a gas inlet for mixing external gas into the mixing port, and the gas inlet includes an open portion in the joint portion where a gap is formed between the upstream and downstream portions, and a closed portion where the space between the upstream and downstream portions is closed.

[0070] With the bubble generator configured as described above, the amount of gas flowing in can be adjusted by adjusting the size of the gap between the upstream and downstream sections using the closed and open sections.

[0071] In the present invention, the inlet can also be configured to have a tapered shape, where the inner diameter decreases from the upstream side to the downstream side.

[0072] According to the bubble generator with the above configuration, the liquid flowing from the acceleration port has at least some of its pressure released upstream of the mixing port, and the tapered inner diameter, which becomes smaller towards the downstream side, accelerates the liquid again, thereby promoting the mixing of gas into the liquid while miniaturizing the bubbles.

[0073] In the present invention, the inlet can also be configured to have a tapered shape, where the inner diameter increases from the upstream side to the downstream side.

[0074] According to the bubble generator with the above configuration, the liquid flowing from the accelerating port gradually has its pressure released at the mixing port, promoting the mixing of gas into the liquid.

[0075] A water supply system utilizing any of the bubble generators described above can also be used.

[0076] According to the bubble generator and water supply device equipped with the bubble generator of the present invention, when the liquid is accelerated at the acceleration port, the flow velocity of the liquid is increased by the Venturi effect, and gas is mixed into the liquid from the gas inlet to the mixing port. As a result, a large amount of gas is mixed into the liquid as fine bubbles, which improves the bubble content of the liquid flowing out from the outlet. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0077] 1: Bubble generator, 2: Water, 3: Shower device, 4: Shower head, 5: Shower hose, 5a: Connector, 5b: Inner step, 6: Upstream section, 6A: Upstream section body, 6a: Upstream section end face, 6b: Extension surface, 7: Downstream section, 7a: Downstream section end face, 7b: Upstream surface, 8: Generator body, 9: Body, 10a: Inlet end, 11: Holding step, 12: Inlet, 13: Acceleration port, 13a: Inner diameter surface, 13b: Downstream surface, 14: Air, 15: First trap, 16: Upstream outer diameter surface, 17: Inlet, 17a: Inner diameter surface, 18: Constriction port, 18a : Inner diameter surface, 19: Second trap, 20: Recess, 20a: Bottom surface, 20b: Inner surface, 20c: Outer surface, 21: Downstream body, 21a: Downstream outer diameter surface, 21b: Extended opposing surface, 22: Contamination inlet, 23: Outlet, 24: Upstream contamination inlet, 24a: Inner diameter surface, 25: Downstream contamination inlet, 25a: Inner diameter surface, 26: Upstream outlet, 26a: Inner diameter surface, 27: Downstream outlet, 27a: Inner diameter surface, 28: Convex part, 28a: Top surface, 28b: Inner opposing surface, 28c: Outer opposing surface, C: Central axis, P: Inlet portion, δ1: Gap, δ2: Gap, δ3: Gap

Claims

1. A bubble generator that mixes bubbles containing fine bubbles into a liquid, The generator body comprises an upstream section located on the upstream side in the direction of liquid flow, and a downstream section located on the downstream side in the flow direction relative to the upstream section and combined with the upstream section. The generator body is, A liquid inlet, and an acceleration port located downstream of the inlet, which accelerates the liquid flowing out of the inlet and has an inner diameter smaller than that of the inlet, It is positioned downstream of the acceleration port and mixes gas with the liquid flowing out of the acceleration port, and has a mixing port with a diameter equal to or larger than the acceleration port, The system includes an outlet located downstream of the mixing inlet, through which the liquid that has flowed out of the mixing inlet flows out, A bubble generator in which the joint portion in the combination of the upstream portion and the downstream portion is formed by the fitting of a recess and a protrusion, and the gap in the fitting of the recess and the protrusion in the joint portion forms a gas inlet for mixing external gas into the mixing inlet.

2. The bubble generator according to claim 1, wherein the gas inlet is configured to draw external gas into the mixing inlet by the Venturi effect, which occurs when the fluid is accelerated at the acceleration port and the pressure is reduced.

3. The bubble generator according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein a plurality of grooves are formed radially along the bottom surface of the recess and on the upper surface of the protrusion, spaced apart in the circumferential direction.

4. A water supply device comprising a bubble generator according to claim 1 or claim 2.

5. A sterilization apparatus comprising a bubble generator according to claim 1 or claim 2.

6. A purification system comprising a bubble generator according to claim 1 or claim 2.

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