Water supply pipe unit

Abstract

This invention provides a water supply pipe unit that is compact and space-saving in configuration and can generate fine bubbles using a gas self-priming mechanism. [Solution] The water supply pipe unit 20 is connected to the first water supply pipe 21 and includes an ejector section 30 that sucks in gas from the outside, and a microbubble generating section 70 that is connected downstream of the ejector section 30 and generates microbubbles. The ejector section 30 includes an outer pipe 31 connected to the first water supply pipe 21, an ejector pipe 50 inserted into the outer pipe 31 and forming an ejector water channel A inside and a bypass water channel B between itself and the outer pipe 31, and a suction pipe section 60 that is provided to penetrate the pipe wall 33 of the outer pipe 31 and sucks gas from outside the outer pipe 31 into the inside of the ejector pipe 50.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to, for example, a water supply pipe unit applied to a water supply section of laundry equipment.

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, there has been known a washing machine in which a fine bubble generator that generates fine bubbles such as nanobubbles or microbubbles is incorporated in a water supply path. The washing machine described in Patent Document 1 includes a nanobubble water supply path, a finishing agent water supply path, an automatic injection water supply path, and a microbubble water supply path as water supply paths connected to a water injection case. A fine bubble generator is provided in each of the nanobubble water supply path and the microbubble water supply path. In this washing machine, in the water supply processing for a water tub, the opening and closing of the microbubble water supply valve is controlled to vary the ratio of the water supply amount of microbubble water (relative to the set water amount).

[0003] As described in Patent Documents 2, 3, and 4 respectively, various fine bubble generators such as microbubble generators are known. The device described in Patent Document 2 includes a casing, a rectifying cylinder body installed inside the casing, and propeller-shaped blade rows fixed to the outer side and the inner side of the rectifying cylinder body. The device described in Patent Document 3 has a configuration in which a swirling flow forming section, a flow velocity increasing section, and a gas introduction section are provided in a main body portion. The device described in Patent Document 4 includes an air suction nozzle, an acceleration nozzle, a spiral rectifying plate, and the like.

Prior Art Literature

Patent Literature

[0004]

Patent Document 1

Patent Document 2

Patent Document 3

Patent Document 4

[0005] In the conventional washing machines described above (for example, Patent Document 1), the cross-sectional area through which water can pass in the microbubble generator is very small. Therefore, it is difficult to ensure a sufficient supply of microbubble water. Even if a large amount of microbubbles can be generated, it becomes necessary to rely on another water channel (such as a bypass channel that does not pass through the microbubble generator) to ensure sufficient water volume. The existence of another water channel leads to an increase in the size of the water supply pipe unit.

[0006] The present invention aims to provide a water supply pipe unit that is compact and space-saving in configuration and capable of generating fine bubbles using a gas self-priming mechanism. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] [1] One aspect of the present disclosure is a water supply pipe unit applied to the water supply section of a laundry machine, comprising: a first water supply pipe provided in the upstream part of the water supply section; an ejector section connected to the first water supply pipe for drawing in gas from the outside; and a microbubble generating section connected to the downstream side of the ejector section for generating microbubbles, wherein the ejector section comprises: an outer pipe connected to the first water supply pipe; an ejector pipe inserted into the outer pipe, forming an ejector water channel inside and a bypass water channel between itself and the outer pipe; and a suction pipe section provided so as to penetrate the wall of the outer pipe and drawing gas from the outside of the outer pipe into the inside of the ejector pipe.

[0008] [1] According to the water supply pipe unit, water is supplied from an external water source to the first water supply pipe. External gas is drawn in at the ejector section and mixed with water. Then, microbubbles are generated at the microbubble generation section. Here, the ejector section constitutes a gas self-priming mechanism through the cooperation of the ejector pipe and the suction pipe section. An ejector water channel is formed inside the ejector pipe, and gas is drawn into the ejector water channel. On the other hand, a bypass water channel is formed outside the ejector pipe, that is, between the ejector pipe and the outer pipe. Therefore, there is no need to provide a bypass pipe or the like separately from the ejector section. This makes it possible to generate microbubbles using a gas self-priming mechanism in a compact and space-saving configuration.

[0009] [2] In the water supply pipe unit described in [1] above, a mounting hole is formed in the wall of the outer pipe into which the suction pipe section is inserted, and an air intake is formed in the portion of the pipe wall corresponding to the constricted portion of the ejector pipe to receive the tip of the suction pipe section. The suction pipe section may be configured separately from the outer pipe and the ejector pipe, and may be inserted into the mounting hole from the outside of the outer pipe and fixed to the pipe wall. With this configuration, the outer pipe, the ejector pipe, and the suction pipe section are configured separately. First, with the ejector pipe inserted into the outer pipe, the suction pipe section is inserted into the mounting hole and fixed to the wall of the outer pipe. Assembly of the ejector section is easy.

[0010] [3] In the water supply pipe unit described in [1] or [2] above, the ejector pipe may be positioned by inserting the tip of the suction pipe into the air intake of the ejector pipe. This configuration makes it easier to position the ejector pipe in the direction of the central axis within the outer pipe. At the same time, the ejector pipe and the suction pipe are aligned.

[0011] [4] In any one of the water supply pipe units described in [1] to [3] above, the ejector pipe may include a bypass flow rate adjustment plate that protrudes radially at one point in the direction of the central axis and abuts against the inner wall surface of the outer pipe to adjust the cross-sectional area of ​​the bypass waterway. With this configuration, the bypass flow rate adjustment plate acts as a resistance plate, and the bypass flow rate, which is the flow rate of the bypass waterway, is adjusted. In addition, it is easier to position the ejector pipe radially within the outer pipe. This makes it easier to form a bypass waterway having a uniform annular cross-section (cross-sectional area).

[0012] [5] Any one of the water supply pipe units described in [1] to [4] above may further include a second water supply pipe connecting the microbubble generating unit and the outer tub, and a processing liquid supply pipe for supplying water containing the processing liquid may be connected to the second water supply pipe. With this configuration, for example, detergent is mixed with the water containing microbubbles. This enables more effective cleaning in laundry equipment. [Effects of the Invention]

[0013] According to the present invention, it is possible to generate fine bubbles using a gas self-priming mechanism in a compact and space-saving configuration. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0014] [Figure 1] Figure 1 is a cross-sectional view of a laundry machine according to one embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] Figure 2 is a perspective view showing the water supply pipe unit in Figure 1. [Figure 3] Figure 3 is a perspective view of the ejector section. [Figure 4] Figure 4 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of the ejector section shown in Figure 3. [Figure 5] Figure 5 is an exploded perspective view of the ejector unit. [Figure 6] Figure 6 is an exploded cross-sectional view of the ejector section. [Figure 7] Figure 7 is a cross-sectional view along the line VII-VII in Figure 4. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0015] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. In the description of the drawings, the same elements are denoted by the same reference numerals, and repeated descriptions are omitted. In this specification, terms indicating directions such as "front", "rear", "upper", "lower", "left", and "right" are terms based on the installed state of the laundry appliance 1.

[0016] First, with reference to FIG. 1, the overall configuration of the laundry appliance 1 to which the water supply pipe unit 20 according to the present embodiment is applied will be described. The laundry appliance 1 is, for example, a commercial washer-dryer applied to coin laundries and the like. The laundry appliance 1 is, for example, a drum-type washer-dryer. The laundry appliance 1 includes, for example, a rectangular parallelepiped casing 2. The shape of the casing 2 can be changed as appropriate. A part of the casing 2 (such as any of the front, rear, left, and right surfaces) may be rounded, or the front surface 2a or the like of the casing 2 may be inclined at an angle with respect to the vertical plane. A circular opening 2b is formed in the front surface 2a of the casing 2. A circular input opening 4 into which laundry is loaded is formed in the front surface 2a of the casing 2.

[0017] An outer tub 6 and a drum (washing tub) 7 are disposed inside the casing 2. Both the outer tub 6 and the drum 7 have a bottomed cylindrical shape. The outer tub 6 is elastically supported in the casing 2 by appropriate means. The drum 7 is rotatably disposed in the outer tub 6. The outer tub 6 and the drum 7 are, for example, arranged concentrically (coaxially) with respect to a rotation axis X extending in the horizontal direction. The outer tub 6 has a circular opening 6a located forward of the opening 7a of the drum 7. A circular door 3 that can open and close the opening 6a is attached to the outer tub 6. In this case, the door 3 may not be in contact with the front surface 2a of the casing 2 and may be housed closer to the inside of the casing 2 than the front surface 2a. Note that a circular door capable of opening and closing the opening 2b may be attached to the front surface 2a of the casing 2. In this case, the peripheral edge of the opening 6a of the outer tub 6 and the peripheral edge of the input opening 4 of the casing 2 may be connected by an annular packing (not shown) made of an elastic material. For example, the peripheral surface of the closed door 3 contacts the packing, and the space between the input opening 4 and the door 3 is water-sealed.

[0018] Laundry is accommodated in the drum 7. A large number of dehydration holes 7b are formed in the peripheral wall surface of the drum 7. Wash water stored in the outer tub 6 can pass through these dehydration holes 7b and move between the inside and outside of the drum 7. A balancer may further be provided at a front portion on the inner circumferential surface of the drum 7, and a plurality of baffles may be provided at equal intervals in the circumferential direction (none of which are shown).

[0019] A drive motor 5 for rotating the drum 7 is installed inside the housing 2 and behind the outer tub 6. A drive shaft 5a of the drive motor 5 extends in the direction of a rotation axis X, and a motor pulley is fixed to the front end portion of the drive shaft 5a. A belt 5h is wound around the motor pulley 5f and a drum pulley 5g fixed to the rear end portion of a rotating shaft 5b disposed on the rotation axis X. The front end of the rotating shaft 5b is integrated with the drum 7. The rotating shaft 5b is rotatably supported by a bearing 5c attached to a back surface 6c of the outer tub 6. When the drive motor 5 is driven, the rotational driving force thereof is transmitted to the rotating shaft 5b via the motor pulley 5f, the belt 5h, and the drum pulley 5g, whereby the drum 7 rotates.

[0020] In a washing step and a rinsing step, the drive motor 5 rotates the drum 7 at a relatively low rotation speed such that centrifugal force applied to the laundry inside the drum 7 is smaller than gravity and the laundry tumbles. In a spinning step, the drive motor 5 rotates the drum 7 at a relatively high rotation speed such that centrifugal force applied to the laundry inside the drum 7 is larger than gravity and the laundry adheres to the inner circumferential surface of the drum 7.

[0021] A water supply unit 10 is provided at the top of the rear 2c of the housing 2. The water supply unit 10 is connected to an external water source such as a water tap and supplies water into the outer tub 6 from, for example, the top of the rear 6c of the outer tub 6. The water supply pipe unit 20 of this embodiment is applied to this water supply unit 10. The water supply pipe unit 20 is positioned, for example, between the rear 6c of the outer tub 6 and the rear 2c of the housing 2. In the front-to-back direction of the laundry machine 1, for example, the space for installing the drive motor 5 and other drum rotation mechanisms described above is also used as the installation space for the water supply pipe unit 20. Note that a part of the water supply pipe unit 20 may be located in the space above the outer tub 6. Water containing a liquid agent (processing liquid) such as detergent is supplied to the water supply pipe unit 20 from a liquid agent input unit (not shown) (see processing liquid supply pipe C shown in Figure 2). Details of the configuration of the water supply pipe unit 20 will be described later.

[0022] Returning to Figure 1, a drain section 9 is provided at the bottom 6b of the outer tub 6. Wash water from the outer tub 6 flows out through one or more drain ports 9a formed in the bottom 6b and flows down through the drain pipe 9b. A drain valve 9c is provided in the drain pipe 9b. During normal operation of the laundry machine 1, such as the washing operation, a predetermined level of wash water is stored in the outer tub 6 and the drum 7. At a predetermined timing during operation, the wash water in the outer tub 6 is discharged by opening the drain valve 9c.

[0023] In the housing 2, an air intake (not shown) is provided in the upper right part of the outer tub 6. This air intake has an air intake duct connected to the outer tub 6 and a gas burner, etc. (neither shown) provided in the air intake duct, and the heat of combustion is used to dry the laundry during the drying process, etc.

[0024] An exhaust section 80 is provided in the upper left part of the outer tank 6. The exhaust section 80 has a first exhaust duct 81 connected to the upper left part of the outer tank 6, and a second exhaust duct 82 further connected to the first exhaust duct 81 via a connecting pipe 83. A filter 84 and a fan 85 are installed in the second exhaust duct 82. The rotational drive of the fan 85 causes the air inside the drum 7 and the outer tank 6 to be discharged outside the machine through the outlet 86.

[0025] An operating section 8, operated by the user, is provided at the top of the front surface 2a of the housing 2. The operating section 8 includes a rectangular operating window 8a formed at the top of the front surface 2a and a cover 8b that closes the operating window 8a. By opening the cover 8b, the inside of the second exhaust duct 82 is exposed through the operating window 8a and the front opening of the second exhaust duct 82. This allows for maintenance of the filter 84, etc.

[0026] The laundry machine 1 includes a control unit 15, for example, located on the top of the housing 2, which controls the operation of each part of the laundry machine 1. When the user operates the operation unit 8 and presses a start button or the like to start a predetermined cycle, the control unit 15 controls the laundry machine 1 to perform the operation based on that cycle. The operation in the laundry machine 1 may include, for example, a washing cycle, a rinsing cycle, a spin-drying cycle, and a drying cycle. The laundry machine 1 can also perform an operation in which some of these cycles are omitted.

[0027] Next, the water supply pipe unit 20 will be described in detail with reference to Figures 2 to 6. The water supply pipe unit 20 is a device that is connected to an external water source and supplies water into the outer tank 6. In particular, the water supply pipe unit 20 generates fine bubbles such as microbubbles and nanobubbles in the water and supplies water containing these fine bubbles into the outer tank 6.

[0028] The water supply pipe unit 20 includes a first water supply pipe 21 provided in the upstream part of the water supply section 10, an ejector section 30 connected to the first water supply pipe 21 for drawing in gas from the outside, a microbubble generating section 70 (see Figure 4) provided near the downstream side of the ejector section 30 (immediately after the ejector section 30) for generating microbubbles, and a second water supply pipe 22 connecting the microbubble generating section 70 to the outer tank 6. These piping materials may be made of resin, metal, or a combination of resin and metal may be used in part.

[0029] The first water supply pipe 21 penetrates the rear surface 2c of the housing 2, and for example, its connecting end 21a protrudes to the rear of the housing 2 (see Figure 1). Pipes, hoses, etc., from an external water supply source are connected to the connecting end 21a. The tubular body consisting of the first water supply pipe 21, the ejector section 30, and the second water supply pipe 22 takes on an appropriate shape according to the layout of each part inside the housing 2. In the illustrated example, the first water supply pipe 21 extends straight, and the second water supply pipe 22 has multiple U-shaped bends.

[0030] A water supply valve 11 is provided in the first water supply pipe 21. Water is supplied to the first water supply pipe 21 from an external water source at a predetermined pressure, and water flows into the water supply pipe unit 20 when the water supply valve 11 is opened. The water supply valve 11 is opened and closed by the control unit.

[0031] The ejector section 30 is a gas self-priming mechanism that draws in external gas upstream of the microbubble generation section 70. The ejector section 30 draws in air from the suction pipe section 60 which is exposed in the space of the housing 2. As shown in Figures 3 and 4, the ejector section 30 has an outer pipe 31 connected to the first water supply pipe 21 via a joint 38, a microbubble generation section 70 and an ejector pipe 50 inserted inside the outer pipe 31, and a suction pipe section 60 provided so as to penetrate the pipe wall 33 of the outer pipe 31. The microbubble generation section 70 is provided downstream of the ejector pipe 50. The suction pipe section 60 is attached to the outer pipe 31 so as to be oriented radially (in a direction perpendicular to the central axis L) with respect to the central axis L of the outer pipe 31 and the ejector pipe 50.

[0032] As shown in Figures 4 and 5, the outer pipe 31 includes a straight tubular section which is the main body, and a connecting pipe section 37 integrally formed downstream of the straight tubular section. The ejector pipe 50 is housed inside the straight tubular section. The diameter of the connecting pipe section 37 is smaller than the diameter of the straight tubular section. The connecting pipe section 37 is connected to the second water supply pipe 22, as shown in Figure 2.

[0033] As shown in Figure 5, the ejector tube 50 is a tubular body having an outer diameter smaller than the inner diameter of the outer tube 31. The ejector tube 50 includes a tube wall portion 53, which is the narrowest part in the central part in the direction of the central axis L, corresponding to the internal constriction portion 56 (see Figure 4). The ejector tube 50 has a configuration in which tapered tubular portions are provided on both the upstream and downstream sides of the tube wall portion 53, respectively, which widen in diameter towards the upstream and downstream. The ejector tube 50 includes a bypass flow rate adjustment plate portion 55 that protrudes radially at one point in the direction of the central axis L, specifically at a position upstream of the tube wall portion 53.

[0034] The bypass flow rate adjustment plate 55 is a plate-like member with a polygonal shape (for example, generally hexagonal) that is point-symmetric with respect to the central axis L (see also Figure 7). The bypass flow rate adjustment plate 55 extends along a plane perpendicular to the central axis L, forming a bypass waterway B between each edge of its outer circumference and the inner wall surface 31b of the outer pipe 31. The bypass flow rate adjustment plate 55 functions as a resistance plate, like a shutter, and adjusts the cross-sectional area of ​​the bypass waterway B. The bypass flow rate adjustment plate 55 also contacts the inner wall surface 31b of the outer pipe 31 to position the ejector pipe 50 in the radial direction. That is, the ejector pipe 50 includes a bypass flow rate adjustment plate 55 that protrudes radially at one point in the direction of the central axis L and contacts the inner wall surface 31b of the outer pipe 31 to position the ejector pipe 50 in the radial direction.

[0035] In addition to the bypass flow rate adjustment plate 55, the ejector tube 50 also includes a plurality of ribs R provided on its outer surface. Each of the plurality of ribs R is, for example, a plate-shaped member extending in the direction of the central axis L and in the radial direction. These ribs R also contact the inner wall surface 31b of the outer tube 31 to position the ejector tube 50 radially. The "positioning" by the bypass flow rate adjustment plate 55 and the plurality of ribs R means aligning the central axis L of the ejector tube 50 with the central axis of the outer tube 31, that is, positioning the ejector tube 50 concentrically with the outer tube 31.

[0036] As shown in Figures 4 and 5, a microbubble generating section 70 is inserted into the outer tube 31. The microbubble generating section 70 includes a helical member that generates a swirling flow in the water within the ejector section 30. As shown in Figure 4, most of the microbubble generating section 70 is located within the connecting tube section 37. More specifically, the annular portion 72 of the microbubble generating section 70 abuts against the annular step surface 32 inside the outer tube 31, thereby positioning the microbubble generating section 70 in the direction of the central axis L. The microbubble generating section 70 may also be positioned in the rotational direction by providing a D-cut or the like (not shown).

[0037] The downstream end face 59 of the ejector tube 50 may, for example, abut against the upstream end face 75 of the microbubble generating section 70. The downstream end face 59 is formed, for example, as the end faces of four ribs R, and the upstream end face 75 is also formed as the end faces of four columnar sections extending in the direction of the central axis L, which are formed in correspondence with the four ribs R.

[0038] As shown in Figure 4, with the ejector tube 50 positioned in the direction of the central axis L, the inlet end face 50a of the ejector tube 50 is located inside the outer tube 31. That is, the inlet end face 50a is located inside the outer tube 31 in the direction of the central axis L, relative to the inlet edge 31a of the outer tube 31 (see Figure 6).

[0039] Figure 7 is a cross-sectional view along the line VII-VII in Figure 4. Specifically, Figure 7 shows a cross-section of the ejector pipe 50 at the location of the bypass flow rate adjustment plate 55, with the location of the inlet end face 50a indicated by a dashed line. As shown in Figures 4 and 7, the ejector pipe 50 forms an ejector water channel A inside it and a bypass water channel B between it and the outer pipe 31.

[0040] As shown in Figure 4, the ejector channel A includes a primary tapered section 51 which is frustoconical in shape and gradually narrows in diameter toward the downstream side, a constricted section 56 connected to the downstream end of the primary tapered section 51, and a secondary tapered section 52 which is frustoconical in shape and connected to the constricted section 56 and gradually widens in diameter toward the downstream side. In the direction of the central axis L, the length of the primary tapered section 51 and the length of the secondary tapered section 52 may be approximately the same, or the length of the primary tapered section 51 may be longer than the length of the secondary tapered section 52.

[0041] As shown in Figures 4 and 6, an air intake port 54 is formed in the tube wall portion 53 corresponding to the constricted portion 56 of the ejector tube 50 to receive the tip 62a of the suction tube portion 60. The air intake port 54 is formed at one location in the circumferential direction. In addition, a mounting hole 33e is formed in the tube wall 33 of the outer tube 31, corresponding to the air intake port 54, into which the suction tube portion 60 is inserted. The ejector tube 50 is positioned by inserting the tip 62a of the suction tube portion 60 into the air intake port 54.

[0042] As shown in Figures 5 and 6, the suction pipe section 60 is configured separately from the outer pipe 31 and the ejector pipe 50. The suction pipe section 60 is, for example, divided into a fixing cap section 61 and a tubular section 62. The suction pipe section 60 includes a tubular section 62 inserted into a mounting hole 33e, a spring 68 and a ball 66 arranged inside the tubular section 62, a circular seating plate 67, and a fixing cap section 61 covering the tubular section 62. The spring 68 is, for example, a compression coil spring. The fixing cap section 61 is provided with a suction port section 63. The suction port section 63 is directed at least above the horizontal plane when the ejector section 30 is assembled into the water supply pipe unit 20. The suction port section 63 is directed, for example, straight up or diagonally upward. A female thread is formed on the inner surface of the fixing cap section 61.

[0043] As shown in Figure 4, the biasing action of the spring 68 biases the ball 66 radially outward of the outer tube 31, pressing it against the seating plate 67 that abuts against the inner surface of the fixing cap portion 61. The spring 68 and the ball 66 constitute a check valve. The through hole formed in the center of the seating plate 67 serves as a gas vent, and only when the ejector portion 30 is self-priming, external gas is drawn into the suction pipe portion 60 from between the ball 66 and the seating plate 67.

[0044] A cylindrical mounting pipe 34 is erected on the pipe wall 33 of the outer pipe 31. A male thread is formed on the outer circumference of the mounting pipe 34, and with the tubular portion 62 inserted into the mounting hole 33e, the fixing cap portion 61 is screwed onto the mounting pipe 34. In this way, the suction pipe portion 60 is fixed to the pipe wall 33 of the outer pipe 31. In other words, the suction pipe portion 60 is inserted into the mounting hole 33e from the outside of the outer pipe 31 and fixed to the pipe wall 33.

[0045] During the assembly of the ejector unit 30, as shown in Figures 5 and 6, the microbubble generating unit 70 and the ejector tube 50 are first inserted into the outer tube 31. The microbubble generating unit 70 and the ejector tube 50 are positioned in the rotational direction, and the position of the intake port 54 of the ejector tube 50 is aligned with the position of the mounting hole 33e. In this state, the tubular part 62 is inserted into the mounting tube 34, and the suction tube part 60 is fixed by the fixing cap part 61.

[0046] In the laundry equipment 1 shown in Figure 1, the water supply rate in the water supply pipe unit 20 varies depending on the water supply pressure, but is, for example, 25 L / min or more. The water supply pipe unit 20 can secure such a large water supply rate without requiring bypass pipes or the like.

[0047] The microbubble generating unit 70 generates microbubbles by, for example, generating a swirling flow and breaking up the air self-primed by the ejector unit 30 with the swirling flow. Any known mechanism may be used for the microbubble generating unit 70. The type of microbubble generating unit 70 may be appropriately selected from various microbubble generators such as high-speed swirling flow type, pressurized dissolution type, micropore type, or ultrasonic cavitation type.

[0048] In the laundry machine 1, when the water supply valve 11 opens and water is supplied from an external water source, water flows through the ejector section 30. This water flow causes the ejector section 30 to self-prime gas, drawing air in through the intake port 63. The water and air inside the ejector water channel A are mixed. At this time, the ball 66 functions as a check valve, preventing water from leaking out of the intake port 63. Meanwhile, water also flows through the bypass water channel B. Downstream of the ejector pipe 50, the water from both channels merges, and the air is further subdivided in the microbubble generation section 70. As water containing bubbles of a predetermined coarseness passes through the microbubble generation section 70, microbubble-containing water is generated. The microbubble-containing water is supplied to the outer tub 6.

[0049] The water containing microbubbles is supplied, for example, throughout the entire process. Alternatively, the water containing microbubbles may be supplied in at least one (both, or only one) of the washing and rinsing processes.

[0050] In the water supply pipe unit 20 of this embodiment, water is supplied from an external water source to the first water supply pipe 21. External gas is drawn in at the ejector section 30 and mixed with water. Subsequently, microbubbles are generated at the microbubble generation section 70. Here, the ejector section 30 constitutes a gas self-priming mechanism through the cooperation of the ejector pipe 50 and the suction pipe section 60. An ejector water channel A is formed inside the ejector pipe 50, and gas is drawn into the ejector water channel A. On the other hand, a bypass water channel B is formed outside the ejector pipe 50, that is, between the ejector pipe 50 and the outer pipe 31. Therefore, there is no need to provide a bypass pipe or the like separately from the ejector section 30. This makes it possible to generate microbubbles using a gas self-priming mechanism in a compact and space-saving configuration. In particular, a large volume of water is required in the laundry machine 1, but such a volume can be achieved because the bypass water channel B is provided inside.

[0051] The suction pipe section 60 is constructed separately from the outer pipe 31 and the ejector pipe 50, and is inserted into the mounting hole 33e from the outside of the outer pipe 31 and fixed to the pipe wall 33. This means that the outer pipe 31, the ejector pipe 50, and the suction pipe section 60 are all constructed separately. First, with the ejector pipe 50 inserted into the outer pipe 31, the suction pipe section 60 is inserted into the mounting hole 33e and fixed to the pipe wall 33 of the outer pipe 31. This makes assembly of the ejector section 30 easy.

[0052] The ejector tube 50 is positioned by inserting the tip 62a of the suction tube section 60 into the air intake port 54 of the ejector tube 50. This makes it easy to position the ejector tube 50 in the direction of the central axis L within the outer tube 31. At the same time, the ejector tube 50 and the suction tube section 60 are aligned. Positioning of the ejector tube 50 can be done in the rotational direction around the central axis L and in the axial direction. Positioning by the tip 62a of the suction tube section 60 may be both of these. Axial positioning may be performed by another protrusion or step inside the outer tube 31.

[0053] The ejector tube 50 includes a bypass flow rate adjustment plate portion 55 that protrudes radially at one point in the direction of the central axis L and abuts against the inner wall surface 31b of the outer tube 31 to adjust the cross-sectional area of ​​the bypass channel B. As a result, the bypass flow rate adjustment plate portion 55 acts as a resistance plate, and the bypass flow rate, which is the flow rate of the bypass channel B, is adjusted. The polygonal shape of the bypass flow rate adjustment plate portion 55 makes it easy to adjust the cross-sectional area. In addition, it is easy to position the ejector tube 50 radially within the outer tube 31. This makes it easy to form a bypass channel B having a uniform annular cross-section (cross-sectional area).

[0054] The cross-sectional area of ​​the bypass channel B in a section perpendicular to the central axis L of the ejector pipe 50 is larger than the cross-sectional area of ​​the ejector channel A in any position in the direction of the central axis L (except for the position of the bypass flow rate adjustment plate section 55). This makes it easier to secure a larger water supply volume in the ejector section 30.

[0055] A treatment liquid supply pipe C is connected to the second water supply pipe 22 to supply water containing the treatment liquid. This allows, for example, detergent to be mixed with the water containing fine bubbles. This enables more effective cleaning in the laundry machine 1.

[0056] Although embodiments of the present invention have been described above, the present invention is not limited to the above embodiments. For example, the microbubble generating unit may be located downstream of the ejector unit 30, at a position somewhat away from the ejector unit 30 (in the tubular portion downstream of the ejector unit 30). For example, the microbubble generating unit may be located downstream of the ejector unit 30 in the straight tubular portion immediately after the U-shaped bend (see Figure 2). In that case, the processing liquid supply pipe C may be connected to the second water supply pipe connecting the microbubble generating unit and the outer tank 6.

[0057] In the ejector pipe 50, the bypass flow rate adjustment plate section 55 may be omitted. For example, only a number of ribs R may be provided on the outer surface of the ejector pipe 50. Even in this case, the cross-sectional area of ​​the bypass waterway B in a section perpendicular to the central axis L of the ejector pipe 50 may be larger than the cross-sectional area of ​​the ejector waterway A in that section at any position in the direction of the central axis L. With this configuration, it is easier to secure a larger water supply volume in the ejector section 30.

[0058] In the water supply pipe unit 20, the second water supply pipe 22 may be omitted, and a configuration in which, for example, the microbubble generating unit is directly attached to the outer tank 6 may be adopted.

[0059] The suction pipe section 60 is not limited to being attached to the outer tube 31 in a configuration where it faces radially (in a direction perpendicular to the central axis L) with respect to the central axis L of the ejector tube 50. The suction pipe section 60 may be attached to the outer tube 31 in a direction less than 90 degrees with respect to the central axis L. The suction pipe section 60 may also be constructed as an integral part of the outer tube 31.

[0060] The mounting pipe 34 may be omitted. The mounting hole 33e of the outer pipe 31 may have a female threaded portion, and the suction pipe portion may be inserted into the mounting hole 33e and fixed by screwing it into the female threaded portion.

[0061] An ozone generator may be installed inside or outside the housing 2, and an ozone supply pipe may be connected to the suction port 63 (suction pipe section 60). Ozone gas generated by the ozone generator is supplied to the suction port 63 (suction pipe section 60) and drawn into the ejector water channel A in the ejector section 30. The ozone gas is converted into fine bubbles in the subsequent fine bubble generation section. With this configuration, the sterilization effect and other effects become even more pronounced.

[0062] A top-loading washing machine may be used as laundry equipment 1. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0063] 1...Laundry machine, 2...Housing, 6...Outer tub, 7...Drum, 10...Water supply section, 20...Water supply pipe unit, 21...First water supply pipe, 22...Second water supply pipe, 30...Ejector section, 31...Outer pipe, 31b...Inner wall surface, 33...Pipe wall, 33e...Mounting hole, 34...Mounting pipe, 50...Ejector pipe, 53...Pipe wall section, 54...Air intake, 55...Bypass flow rate adjustment plate section, 56...Constriction section, 59...Downstream end face, 60...Suction pipe section, 61...Fixing cap section, 62...Tubular section, 62a...Tip, 70...Microbubble generation section, A...Ejector water channel, B...Bypass water channel, C...Processing liquid supply pipe.

Claims

1. A water supply pipe unit applied to the water supply section of a laundry appliance, A first water supply pipe is provided in the upstream portion of the water supply section, An ejector unit connected to the first water supply pipe, which draws in gas from the outside, The system includes a microbubble generating unit connected to the downstream side of the ejector unit for generating microbubbles, The ejector unit is, The outer pipe connected to the first water supply pipe, An ejector tube is inserted into the outer tube and forms an ejector channel inside it, and also forms a bypass channel between itself and the outer tube, A water supply pipe unit having a suction pipe section provided so as to penetrate the wall of the outer pipe and for drawing gas from outside the outer pipe into the inside of the ejector pipe.

2. The wall of the outer tube has a mounting hole into which the suction pipe portion is inserted. An air intake port is formed in the tube wall portion corresponding to the constricted portion of the ejector tube to receive the tip of the suction tube portion. The water supply pipe unit according to claim 1, wherein the suction pipe section is configured separately from the outer pipe and the ejector pipe, and is inserted into the mounting hole from the outside of the outer pipe and fixed to the pipe wall.

3. The water supply pipe unit according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the ejector pipe is positioned by inserting the tip of the suction pipe portion into the air intake port of the ejector pipe.

4. The water supply pipe unit according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the ejector pipe includes a bypass flow rate adjustment plate portion that protrudes radially at one point in the direction of the central axis and abuts against the inner wall surface of the outer pipe to adjust the cross-sectional area of ​​the bypass waterway.

5. The system further includes a second water supply pipe connecting the microbubble generating unit and the outer tank. The water supply pipe unit according to claim 1 or 2, wherein a treatment liquid supply pipe for supplying water containing a treatment liquid is connected to the second water supply pipe.

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