Discharge device

Abstract

To provide a discharge device capable of suppressing discomfort of a user with respect to wavy jet flows.SOLUTION: A discharge device 10 includes: a device body 28 where a jetting flow path capable of jetting wavy jetting flows is formed; and a regularity disturbing part 50 which is provided to the device body 28 and disturbs regularity of waves formed by the wavy jetting flows so that when waveforms for a half period in waves made by the wavy jetting flows are called unit waveform, a variation coefficient of at least either a cycle or amplitude related to a plurality of unit waveforms continuing in waves falls within a prescribed range.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a discharge device that emits a jet of fluid. [Background technology]

[0002] In some cases, a discharge device that sprays a jet of water is incorporated into sanitary facilities such as bathroom facilities. In recent years, attempts have been made to diversify the stimulation that the jet of water provides to the user. As an example, Patent Document 1 describes a shoulder shower device that sprays a jet of water by alternating between left and right directions. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 5-200081 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] As a result of further investigation, the inventors of the present application have come to the following new realization: In a discharge device that ejects a jet of water so that the direction of the jet of water alternates regularly from left to right, the sound of the jet of water hitting the body when it hits the body is unnatural and constant, which can cause discomfort to the user. The technology disclosed in Patent Document 1 does not take into account this point of view, and there is room for improvement.

[0005] An object of the present disclosure is to provide a discharge device that can suppress the user's discomfort caused by a wavy jet. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] The discharge device of the present disclosure comprises a device main body in which an ejection flow path capable of ejecting a wavy jet is formed, and a regularity disruption unit provided in the device main body that disrupts the regularity of the waves so that when a half-period waveform in the wave formed by the wavy jet is called a unit waveform, the coefficient of variation of at least one of the period and amplitude for multiple consecutive unit waveforms in the wave falls within a predetermined range. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0007] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram of a discharge system according to a first embodiment, as viewed from the side. [Figure 2] FIG. 1 is a schematic front view showing a discharge device according to a first embodiment together with a peripheral structure. [Figure 3] FIG. 1 is a side cross-sectional view of a discharge device according to a first embodiment. [Figure 4] FIG. 1 is a perspective cross-sectional view of a discharge device according to a first embodiment. [Figure 5] 4 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line AA in FIG. 3. [Figure 6] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a state in which a kinetic jet is being ejected. [Figure 7] 6 is a cross-sectional view of FIG. 5 taken along line B-B. [Figure 8] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a first flow state. [Figure 9] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a second flow state. [Figure 10] 1A and 1B are diagrams showing a wavy jet in which the regularity of the wave period and amplitude of the wavy jet is disrupted and a wavy jet in which the regularity is not disrupted. [Figure 11] 10A and 10B are diagrams illustrating examples of unit waveforms, their periods, and amplitudes. [Figure 12] 10 is a diagram showing the measurement results of displacement in the Y direction versus the ejection time of a wavy jet ejected by the ejection device of the first embodiment. FIG. [Figure 13] FIG. 10 is a side cross-sectional view of a discharge device according to a second embodiment. [Figure 14] 14 is a cross-sectional view taken along CC in FIG. 13. [Figure 15] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing the measurement results of the displacement in the Y direction with respect to the ejection time of the wavy jet ejected by the ejection device of the second embodiment. [Figure 16] FIG. 10 is a side cross-sectional view of a discharge device according to a third embodiment. [Figure 17] FIG. 10 is a perspective cross-sectional view of a discharge device according to a third embodiment. [Figure 18] FIG. 17 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line DD in FIG. 16. [Figure 19] FIG. 11 is a diagram showing the measurement results of the displacement in the Y direction with respect to the ejection time of the wavy jet ejected by the ejection device of the third embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0008] An example of an embodiment will be described below. Identical components are designated by the same reference numerals, and duplicate descriptions will be omitted. In each drawing, for the sake of convenience, some components are omitted, enlarged, or reduced as appropriate. The drawings should be viewed in accordance with the orientation of the reference numerals.

[0009] (First embodiment) See Figures 1 and 2. A discharge device 10 is used in a sanitary fixture 12. The sanitary fixture 12 of this embodiment is a bathroom fixture 14, which includes a bathtub 16. The bathroom fixture 14 also includes bathroom walls, a washing area floor, etc. The discharge device 10 is fixed to the bathtub 16. The bathtub 16 is an example of a tank body that can receive the jet flow J and film flow Fd discharged from the discharge device 10.

[0010] The discharge device 10 is used in a discharge system 18. The discharge system 18 includes a storage tank 20 that stores the liquid W to be ejected, a liquid supply path 22 that supplies the liquid W from the storage tank 20 to the discharge device 10, a pump 24 provided midway along the liquid supply path 22, and a control unit 26 that controls the pump 24. In this embodiment, the storage tank 20 is a bathtub 16 that stores bathwater as the liquid W to be ejected. Under the control of the control unit 26, the pump 24 pumps the liquid W sucked from the storage tank 20, thereby supplying the liquid W to the ejection flow path 32a and the discharge flow path 32b of the discharge device 10 through the liquid supply path 22. The control unit 26 is a computer that combines hardware such as a CPU, a ROM, and a RAM with software.

[0011] The discharge device 10 of this embodiment discharges a kinetic jet J from the discharge passage 32a and a sheet-like flow Fd from the discharge passage 32b. The kinetic jet J and the sheet-like flow Fd can be applied to the back of the body of the user 8, particularly the neck, shoulders, back, etc. of the user 8 who is sitting in the bathtub 16. This provides a massage effect to the user 8.

[0012] The discharge device 10 includes a device body 28. The device body 28 is attached to a wall-like base 30 provided in the sanitary equipment 12. In this embodiment, the base 30 is a flange portion that forms the periphery of the upper end opening of the bathtub 16.

[0013] The discharge device 10 includes, within the device body 28, an injection flow path 32a and a discharge flow path 32b to which the liquid W is supplied from the liquid supply path 22. In this embodiment, the liquid W is supplied upward from the liquid supply path 22 to the injection flow path 32a and the discharge flow path 32b. An injection hole 38a is formed at the downstream end of the injection flow path 32a. An ejection hole 38b is formed at the downstream end of the ejection flow path 32b. In this specification, the direction along the ejection direction of the discharge device 10 is referred to as the front-rear direction A (see FIG. 3), and the horizontal direction perpendicular to the front-rear direction A is referred to as the left-right direction B. Of both sides of the front-rear direction A, the injection direction of the injection flow path 32a is referred to as the front side, and the opposite side is referred to as the rear side.

[0014] The injection hole 38 opens at the front part of the device body 28. The discharge device 10 of this embodiment has a plurality of injection flow paths 32a (two in the illustrated example). The injection holes 38a of the plurality of injection flow paths 32a are provided at positions spaced apart in the left-right direction B when viewed from the front. The discharge hole 38b of the discharge flow path 32b opens at the front part of the device body 28. The discharge hole 38b has a slit shape extending in the left-right direction B. Here, "viewed from the front" means viewed from the front side in the front-rear direction A, and is synonymous with viewing from the viewpoint of Figure 2, for example.

[0015] In front view, the injection hole 38a is provided below the discharge hole 38b. In front view, the injection hole 38a in this embodiment is provided at a position that overlaps vertically with the discharge hole 38b. In front view, the injection hole 38a in this embodiment is provided at a position that falls within the range in the left-right direction B in which the discharge hole 38b is provided. This means that the injection hole 38a is not provided at a position that extends outside this range.

[0016] The ejection flow path 32a ejects the liquid W supplied from the liquid supply path 22 as a kinetic jet J. Each figure shows the ejection range of the kinetic jet J. The ejection flow path 32a can eject the kinetic jet J forward from the ejection hole 38. The kinetic jet J here refers to a jet whose traveling direction when it emerges from the ejection flow path 32a changes periodically, that is, over time. The ejection flow path 32a can eject the kinetic jet J from the ejection hole 38 by changing the ejection direction Da of the jet (see FIG. 6) over time. The ejection flow path 32a of this embodiment ejects a wavy jet radially as the kinetic jet J by oscillating the ejection direction Da of the jet within a plane. This "ejection direction Da" is based on the time when the jet emerges from the ejection flow path 32a to the outside. The term "wavy" refers to a shape that periodically undulates in a direction perpendicular to the center Ct (see FIG. 6) of the trajectory JT of the moving jet J as it moves away from the ejection flow path 32a. This "wavy" includes not only shapes that strictly satisfy the physical conditions of a wave, but also shapes similar to such shapes. The ejection flow path 32a of this embodiment ejects the moving jet J into air. The device body 28 constitutes a fluid element that ejects the moving jet J while remaining stationary.

[0017] The discharge flow path 32b is capable of discharging the liquid W supplied from the liquid supply path 22 as a sheet-like flow Fd. The figures show the discharge range of the sheet-like flow Fd. The discharge flow path 32b is capable of discharging the sheet-like flow Fd passing above the moving jet J forward from the discharge hole 38b.

[0018] The sheet-like flow Fd can limit the range of droplets scattered by blocking the flow of droplets from the kinetic jet flow J. In this embodiment, droplets are generated by collision of the wave-like jet flow J with an object such as the user 8. In this embodiment, the discharge flow path 32b discharges the sheet-like flow Fd so that it hits the neck of the user 8, and the ejection flow path 32a ejects the kinetic jet flow J so that it hits the shoulder of the user 8 below the neck of the user 8. This limits the scattering of droplets from the kinetic jet flow J above the sheet-like flow Fd, and prevents droplets from splashing onto the face of the user 8 above the sheet-like flow Fd.

[0019] The film-like flow Fd has an end-shaped film shape in a cross section perpendicular to the flow direction. The hatching in FIG. 2 indicates the cross section of the film-like flow Fd perpendicular to the flow direction when it leaves the discharge flow path 32b. Here, "end-shaped film shape" means a film shape in which both ends are located at positions separated from each other in a cross section perpendicular to the flow direction. The film-like flow Fd can also be said to have a non-circular shape in this cross section. This condition only needs to be satisfied in the cross section perpendicular to the flow direction when it leaves the discharge flow path 32b. In this embodiment, the film-like flow Fd has an end-shaped film shape that is linear in such a cross section, but it may also have a curved shape such as an arc, and the specific shape is not particularly limited.

[0020] According to this configuration, even in a situation where droplets from the wavy jet J are likely to scatter, the sheet flow Fd can block the droplets from the wavy jet J, effectively preventing them from scattering. In particular, because the flow direction of the wavy jet J changes over time, the spray range is wider than when the flow direction is constant over time. Even when the spray range is widened in this way, by making the sheet flow Fd a terminated film, it is possible to avoid merging with the sheet flow Fd, and the area directly exposed to the moving jet J can be wider.

[0021] 3 to 7, a fluid element that ejects a kinetic jet J will be described below. The ejection flow path 32a is capable of ejecting a wavy jet J by joining together liquid W that has flowed through a pair of intermediate flow paths 42A and 42B (described later). The ejection flow path 32a includes an induction flow path 36 that induces the kinetic jet J and an ejection hole 38a that ejects the kinetic jet J induced by the induction flow path 36 to the outside. The center line direction along the flow path center line CL1 of the induction flow path 36 is referred to as the X direction. In this embodiment, the X direction coincides with the front-rear direction A. This flow path center line CL1 is located on a barycentric line that connects the geometric centers of gravity of the induction flow path 36. In a location where the induction flow path 36 is divided into multiple intermediate flow paths 42A and 42B (described later), such as the induction flow path 36 in this embodiment, the "center of gravity" refers to the center of gravity of the entire multiple intermediate flow paths 42A and 42B. The flow channel center line CL1 extends linearly downstream of the downstream end 36a of the induction flow channel 36 along the tangent direction of the center of gravity line passing through the downstream end 36a.

[0022] The Y direction and Z direction, which are perpendicular to the flow path center line CL1 and perpendicular to each other, are referred to as the width direction and height direction, respectively. The Y direction in this embodiment is also the vibration direction of the wavy jet J. This vibration direction refers to the direction in which the waves made by the wavy jet J vibrate when the wavy jet J is emitted from the ejection flow path 32a to the outside in a plane perpendicular to the flow path center line CL1. The Y direction in this embodiment coincides with the left-right direction B.

[0023] The relay flow path 34 includes a first flow path section 35a provided at the downstream end of the relay flow path 34, and a second flow path section 35b that is continuous with the first flow path section 35a on the upstream side. The second flow path section 35b is located downstream (forward) of the ejection flow path 32a with respect to the first flow path section 35a. It can also be said that the central axis CL2 of the first flow path section 35a is located downstream (forward) of the ejection flow path 32a with respect to the central axis CL3 of the second flow path section 35b.

[0024] The first flow path section 35a has a first bend section 35c at a portion where it connects to the second flow path section 35b. The second flow path section 35b has a second bend section 35d at a portion where it connects to the first flow path section 35a. The first bend section 35c and the second bend section 35d change the direction of flow in the flow path due to their bent structure. The angle of the central axis CL4 of the first bend section 35c and the second bend section 35d relative to the central axis CL2 is defined as the bend angle θ1 of the first bend section 35c. The angle of the central axis CL4 relative to the central axis CL3 is defined as the bend angle θ2 of the second bend section 35d. In this embodiment, the bend angles θ1 and θ2 are 45°.

[0025] In this embodiment, the induced flow path 36 has a rectangular shape in a cross section perpendicular to the X direction, with a height dimension Lz in the Z direction smaller than an inner width dimension Ly in the Y direction. When viewed from the X direction (as viewed from the viewpoint of FIG. 7), the induced flow path 36 has a cross-sectional shape that is symmetrical with respect to a plane that includes the flow path center line CL1 and is parallel to the Y direction. When viewed from the Z direction (as viewed from the viewpoint of FIG. 5), the induced flow path 36 has a cross-sectional shape that is symmetrical with respect to the Y direction, with the flow path center line CL1 of the induced flow path 36 as the axis of symmetry. In this embodiment, the injection hole 38a also satisfies this condition. Here, a symmetrical cross-sectional shape includes a shape that is deviated in at least one of the X direction, Y direction, and Z direction due to the draft angle of the molding die or a shape that is deviated by a manufacturing error.

[0026] The induction flow path 36 comprises a storage chamber 40 into which liquid W flows from the liquid supply path 22 via a relay flow path 34 provided in the device main body 28, a pair of intermediate flow paths 42A, 42B into which liquid W flows from the upstream storage chamber 40, and a confluence chamber 44 into which the liquid W flowing from each of the pair of intermediate flow paths 42A, 42B confluence.

[0027] A cross-sectional area changing portion 41a is formed by the downstream end of the relay flow path 34 and the upstream end of the storage chamber 40. In the cross-sectional area changing portion 41a, the cross-sectional area of the storage chamber 40 in a direction perpendicular to the central axis CL2 (the area of the storage chamber 40 as seen from the viewpoint of FIG. 5) is larger than the cross-sectional area of the downstream end of the relay flow path 34 in the perpendicular direction (the area of the downstream end of the first flow path portion 35a as seen from the viewpoint of FIG. 5). Therefore, in the cross-sectional area changing portion 41a, the cross-sectional area in the direction perpendicular to the central axis CL2 changes so as to increase from the downstream end of the relay flow path 34 toward the upstream end of the storage chamber 40.

[0028] The storage chamber 40 has a left bending portion 41b and a right bending portion 41c on both sides in the left-right direction B. The left bending portion 41b and the right bending portion 41c have a bent structure that changes the direction of the flow path from the storage chamber 40 toward the intermediate flow paths 42A and 42B, respectively.

[0029] A first wall 46 that blocks the flow of liquid W toward the downstream side within the storage chamber 40 is provided within the induction flow path 36. A pair of intermediate flow paths 42A, 42B are provided on both sides of the first wall 46 in the Y direction. The pair of intermediate flow paths 42A, 42B includes a left-side intermediate flow path 42A (first intermediate flow path) provided on one side in the Y direction and a right-side intermediate flow path 42B (second intermediate flow path) provided on the opposite side. A second wall 48 that blocks the flow of liquid W toward the downstream side within the merging chamber 44 is provided in the induction flow path 36. The second wall 48 separates the internal space of the induction flow path 36 from the external space of the device main body 28, and the injection hole 38a penetrates the second wall 48 in the X direction.

[0030] The injection hole 38a is formed at the downstream end of the injection flow path 32a. The injection hole 38a opens to the outer surface of the device body 28. In this embodiment, the injection hole 38a opens to the front surface of the device body 28, and the device body 28 injects the moving jet J forward. The injection hole 38a is formed so as to continuously widen in a direction perpendicular to the X direction (the Y direction in this embodiment) as it moves forward.

[0031] The operation of the ejection flow path 32a of this embodiment will be described with reference to Figures 8 and 9. In these figures, arrows indicate the main flow direction of the liquid.

[0032] The liquid that flows into the storage chamber 40 flows into the merging chamber 44 via a pair of intermediate flow paths 42A and 42B. The left intermediate flow path 42A injects a left internal jet F1 into the merging chamber 44. The right intermediate flow path 42B injects a right internal jet F2 into the merging chamber 44. These jets F1 and F2 are affected by fluctuations due to the randomness of the liquid, and one of them becomes a dominant flow (hereinafter referred to as a dominant flow) with greater momentum than the other. Figure 8 shows a first flow state in which the left internal jet F1 is the dominant flow. Figure 9 shows a second flow state in which the right internal jet F2 is the dominant flow.

[0033] As shown in Figure 8, in the first flow state, the right internal jet F2 is obstructed by collision with the left internal jet F1. In contrast, the left internal jet F1 flows with momentum until it collides with the second wall portion 48. This left internal jet F1 turns back within the merging chamber 44 and merges with the right internal jet F2, amplifying the momentum of the right internal jet F2. As a result, the flow switches to the second flow state in which the right internal jet F2 becomes the dominant flow.

[0034] As shown in Figure 9, in the second flow state, the left internal jet F1 is obstructed by collision with the right internal jet F2. In contrast, the right internal jet F2 flows with momentum until it collides with the second wall portion 48. This right internal jet F2 turns back within the merging chamber 44 and merges with the left internal jet F1, amplifying the momentum of the left internal jet F1. As a result, the flow switches to the first flow state, in which the left internal jet F1 becomes the dominant flow.

[0035] As a result of the above, the first flow state and the second flow state are periodically switched. In the first flow state, the left internal jet F1 forms a liquid flow F3 passing through the injection hole 38a. This liquid flow F3 has a velocity vector pointing to one side in the Y direction (the right side in the figure) and toward the front. In the second flow state, the right internal jet F2 forms a liquid flow F4 passing through the injection hole 38a. This liquid flow F4 has a velocity vector pointing to the other side in the Y direction (the left side in the figure) and toward the front. As these flow states are periodically switched, the magnitude of the velocity vector in the Y direction of the liquid flows F3 and F4 passing through the injection hole 38a periodically increases and decreases. As a result, the injection direction Da of the jet J oscillates within a plane, and the aforementioned wavy jet J is ejected.

[0036] In order to eject the wavy jet J (kinetic jet J) in this manner, the induction flow path 36 generates an induction flow inside the induction flow path 36 that induces the kinetic jet J. In this embodiment, this "induced flow" is the internal jets F1 and F2. The injection hole 38a ejects the kinetic jet J induced by the induction flow path 36 to the outside.

[0037] 3 and 4. The discharge device 10 includes a regularity disrupting unit 50 that disrupts the regularity of the waves formed by the wavy jet J. In this embodiment, the "regularity of the waves" refers to the regularity of the period and amplitude (hereinafter simply referred to as "period and amplitude") of the vibrations of the waves formed by the wavy jet J. When a half-period waveform of the waves formed by the wavy jet J is called a unit waveform (described later with reference to FIG. 11), the "period and amplitude" here refers to the period and amplitude of a plurality of consecutive unit waveforms in the waves formed by the wavy jet J. For example, in FIG. 11, the waveform from time t1 at which the maximum value is reached to time t2 at which the minimum value is reached is defined as one unit waveform W1. The waveform from time t2 at which the minimum value is reached to time t3 at which the maximum value is reached is defined as one unit waveform W2. The regularity disrupting unit 50 in this embodiment makes the period and amplitude irregular. The regularity disrupting section 50 of this embodiment is provided in the device body 28, and is composed of a first bent section 35c, a second bent section 35d, a cross-sectional area varying section 41a, a left bent section 41b, and a right bent section 41c.

[0038] See FIG. 10. The jet direction Da repeatedly changes to one of the left and right directions and then switches to the opposite direction. When the regularity of the period and amplitude is disrupted (as in the wavy jet J2 in FIG. 10), the timing of the switch to the opposite direction and the jet direction Da at that timing tend to vary. When the jet direction Da switches to the opposite direction early, the time required from the start of the change to one of the left and right directions until the switch to the opposite direction becomes shorter, and the angle of the jet direction Da relative to the trajectory center Ct becomes smaller. As a result, the period and amplitude become smaller. Similarly, when the jet direction Da switches to the opposite direction late, the time required for the switch increases, and the angle of the jet direction Da relative to the trajectory center Ct becomes larger. As a result, the period and amplitude become larger. Thus, the period and amplitude of the waves formed by the wavy jet J have a positive correlation. Therefore, when the regularity of the period and amplitude is disrupted, the period and amplitude of the wavy jet J2 tend to vary. If the regularity of the period and amplitude is not disturbed (wavy jet J1 in FIG. 10), the timing of switching to the opposite direction and the jet direction Da at that timing are unlikely to vary. Therefore, the period and amplitude of the wavy jet J1 are unlikely to vary.

[0039] The regularity-disturbing unit 50 includes a vortex generating unit 52 that generates a vortex in the liquid W flowing upstream of the pair of intermediate flow paths 42A and 42B. The vortex generating unit 52 impairs the flow straightness of the flow of the liquid W that has flowed in. As a result, a vortex is generated. The vortex generating unit 52 is formed by a structure such as a step, a restriction, or a bend provided upstream of the intermediate flow paths 42A and 42B. A step refers to a portion where the flow path width changes in a stepped manner, such as a pipe joint. A restriction refers to a portion that narrows the flow path of the liquid W. A bend refers to a portion that bends so as to change the flow direction of the flow path. The vortex generating unit 52 in this embodiment is mainly composed of a first bend portion 35c, a second bend portion 35d, a cross-sectional area changing portion 41a, a left bend portion 41a, and a right bend portion 41b.

[0040] At the first bend 35c and the second bend 35d and the left bend 41a and the right bend 41b, a difference in flow velocity of the liquid W occurs between the inside and outside of the bend within the bend, causing the flow of the liquid W to become turbulent and generating a vortex. At the cross-sectional area change section 41a, the liquid W that has flowed into the storage chamber 40 from the relay flow path 34 flows in the Z direction from below toward the upper surface of the storage chamber 40, collides with the upper surface of the storage chamber 40, and flows toward the left and right intermediate flow paths 42A and 42B. This collision causes a large difference in flow velocity in the Y direction near the upper surface and near the lower surface of the storage chamber 40, generating a vortex.

[0041] The regularity disturbance unit 50 disturbs the regularity so that the coefficient of variation of at least one of the period and amplitude for a plurality of consecutive unit waveforms in the waves of the wavy jet J is between 0.06 and 2.00. The coefficients of variation of the period and amplitude in this embodiment are dimensionless quantities that indicate the ease with which the period and amplitude fluctuate. Here, the period is the time required for the wavy jet J to move from one end to the other in the Y direction. Here, the amplitude is the distance in the Y direction from one end to the other. The larger the coefficients of variation of the period and amplitude, the more easily the period and amplitude fluctuate, making the jet J more irregular. The smaller the coefficients of variation of the period and amplitude, the less easily the period and amplitude fluctuate, making the jet J more regular. The average value and standard deviation of the waves of the wavy jet J vary depending on the supply flow rate from the pump 24 and the reference position, which will be described later. By using the coefficient of variation obtained by dividing the standard deviation by the mean value, it is possible to grasp the variability of the underlying measurement values regardless of the magnitude of the mean value and the standard deviation. The standard deviation in this embodiment is a sample standard deviation.

[0042] An exemplary method for measuring the period and amplitude, as well as the standard deviation, average value, and coefficient of variation of each of the period and amplitude, will be described. The supply flow rate from the pump 24 is set to 5.5 liters per minute, and a camera with a frame rate (the number of frames that can be processed per second) of 10,000 fps (frames per second) is used. The displacement of the wavy jet J in the Y direction from a predetermined reference position is measured. The predetermined reference position here is, for example, a position 5 cm forward from the downstream end of the injection hole 38a and 10 cm to the right of the trajectory center Ct in the left-right direction B (for example, reference position P in FIG. 10).

[0043] Referring to Figure 11, the case of measuring the period will be explained. Let n be the number of samples in the unit waveform, and the unit waveform W n (m is a natural number between 1 and n) n A series of unit waveforms W1 to W2 obtained within a predetermined measurement period (10 seconds) starting one minute after the start of the wave-like jet J are n Regarding the time t1 to t2, the displacement in the left-right direction B takes the maximum value and the minimum value, respectively. n+1 All data from a predetermined measurement period is used as samples, but if the number of samples n is less than 20, the predetermined measurement period is extended as appropriate to ensure the number of samples. n+1 By taking the difference between each of the unit waveforms W1 to W2 and the previous time, n Measured values of the period (time interval) T1 to T n The measured period T m is expressed by the following equation (1). T m =t m+1 -t m Formula (1)

[0044] The measured values of the obtained periods T1 to T n The standard deviation Ts and average value Ta of the period are obtained from the following equations (2) and (3), respectively.

[0045]

number

[0046]

number

[0047] The period variation coefficient Tc = Ts / Ta is obtained by dividing the obtained period standard deviation Ts by the period average Ta. When calculating the period standard deviation Ts and average Ta, it is important to use the same measured values from the same time series data and to use the same number of samples.

[0048] The case of measuring amplitude will be explained. Unit waveform W m The amplitude measurement for A m The above-specified multiple times t1 to t n+1 Displacement x1~x in n+1 For each of the waveforms, the absolute value of the difference from the displacement at the previous time is taken, and each waveform unit W1 to W n The amplitude measurements A1 to A n The amplitude measurement A m is expressed by the following equation (4). A m =|x m+1 -x m | Formula (4)

[0049] The amplitude measurements A1 to A n The standard deviation As and average value Aa of the amplitude are obtained from the following equations (5) and (6), respectively.

[0050]

number

[0051]

number

[0052] The amplitude coefficient of variation Ac = As / Aa is obtained by dividing the obtained amplitude standard deviation As by the amplitude average value Aa. When calculating the amplitude standard deviation As and average value Aa, it is important to use the same measured values from the same time series data and to use the same number of samples.

[0053] For example, the coefficient of variation can be increased or decreased by increasing or decreasing the number of bends, restrictors, and steps. However, this is not limiting, and the coefficient of variation can be adjusted by various other methods. For example, the structure of the flow path in the regularity-disrupting section 50, such as the bend angle of the bend or the degree of restrictor narrowing, may be experimentally investigated to determine the tendency of the coefficient of variation depending on the structure, and the coefficient of variation may be adjusted based on this tendency.

[0054] Refer to FIG. 12. For the discharge device 10 of this embodiment, the displacement of the wavy jet J in the Y direction from a predetermined reference position was measured using the measurement method described above. For simplicity, FIG. 12 shows only a portion of the measured data (the same applies to FIGS. 15 and 19 below). As shown in FIG. 12, for the discharge device 10 of this embodiment, the period and amplitude of the wavy jet J fluctuate significantly with each repeated vibration. Therefore, it can be seen that the discharge device 10 of this embodiment ejected a wavy jet J with an irregular period and amplitude. As an example, the coefficients of variation for the period and amplitude of a prototype of this embodiment were 1.067 and 0.439, respectively.

[0055] The effect of the discharge device 10 of this embodiment will be described. A fluid element that discharges a wavy jet J generally discharges the jet so that it moves back and forth regularly in the left-right direction B. However, the sounds of the ocean, the wind blowing over the mountains, and the murmuring of a river in the natural world are irregular. Therefore, in a discharge device that uses a fluid element that discharges in this manner, the sound and feel of the jet hitting the body when it hits the body will be unnaturally constant, which may cause discomfort to the user.

[0056] The discharge device 10 of this embodiment includes a regularity disrupting unit 50 that disrupts the regularity of the waves made by the wavy jet J so that the coefficient of variation of at least one of the period and amplitude of the unit waveform falls within a predetermined range. According to this embodiment, by disrupting the regularity of the waves made by the wavy jet J so that the coefficient of variation falls within a predetermined range, the sound of the water hitting the water can be made to resemble sounds in the natural world. As a result, the user's sense of discomfort is reduced, and the user can be made more relaxed.

[0057] In this embodiment, the lower limit of the predetermined range is 0.06. If the coefficients of variation for both the period and amplitude are less than 0.06 (for example, in the case of a conventional discharge device not having the regularity disrupting unit 50), the ejection of the wavy jet J tends to be regular. As a result, the user tends to feel uncomfortable, as if the vibration of the jet J is being mechanically controlled by the drive of an actuator. In this embodiment, the lower limit of the predetermined range is 0.06, which makes it easier for the moving jet J to be ejected irregularly, making the sound of the jet hitting the surface more similar to a natural sound. As a result, the user's discomfort is reduced and the user can be more relaxed. This effect was obtained through experimental studies by the inventors of this application.

[0058] In this embodiment, the upper limit of the predetermined range is 2.00. If the coefficients of variation for both the period and amplitude were greater than 2.00, the turbulence of the jet J would become too great, making it easier for the jet J to appear not to be wavy, and ultimately leading to the appearance of a malfunction in the discharge device 10. In this embodiment, since the upper limit of the predetermined range is 2.00, the jet J is more likely to appear to be wavy, which reduces the user's sense of discomfort that the discharge device 10 is malfunctioning. This effect was obtained through experimental studies by the inventors of the present application.

[0059] The regularity-disturbing unit 50 of this embodiment includes a vortex generating unit 52 that generates vortices in the liquid W flowing upstream of the pair of intermediate flow paths 42A, 42B. According to this embodiment, the flow of the liquid W, whose flow straightening has been impaired by the vortex generating unit 52, flows through the intermediate flow paths 42A, 42B located downstream of the vortex generating unit 52, causing significant disturbance in the flow of the liquid W flowing through each of the pair of intermediate flow paths 42A, 42B. As a result, the straightness of the left internal jet F1 and the right internal jet F2 in the confluence chamber 44 decreases, and irregular flows occur in the confluence chamber 44. This makes the jet direction Da of the wavy jet J unstable. As a result, it is possible to disrupt the regularity of the waves formed by the wavy jet J.

[0060] (Second embodiment) A second embodiment of the present disclosure will be described. In the drawings and description of the second embodiment, components and members equivalent to (including identical to) those of the first embodiment will be given the same reference numerals. Explanations that overlap with the first embodiment will be omitted as appropriate, and the description will focus on configurations that differ from the first embodiment. The same omissions will be made as appropriate in the third embodiment described below.

[0061] 13 and 14. The relay flow path 34 of the second embodiment does not have the first bending portion 35c or the second bending portion 35d, and extends linearly. The vortex flow generating portion 52 of the second embodiment is mainly composed of the cross-sectional area changing portion 41a, the left bending portion 41a, and the right bending portion 41b.

[0062] Refer to FIG. 15. In the discharge device 10 of the second embodiment, the period and amplitude of the wavy jet J fluctuate each time the jet J vibrates. It can be seen that the discharge device 10 of the second embodiment ejects a wavy jet J with an irregular period and amplitude. It can be seen that the above fluctuations in the second embodiment are smaller than those in the first embodiment (see FIG. 12). As an example, the coefficients of variation of the period and amplitude of a prototype in the second embodiment were 0.174 and 0.154, respectively.

[0063] According to the second embodiment, because the relay flow path 34 does not have the first bend portion 35c and the second bend portion 35d, the flow of the liquid W passes through the relay flow path 34 while maintaining its flow straightness. Because the flow of the liquid W with its flow straightness relatively intact flows into each of the pair of intermediate flow paths 42A, 42B via the storage chamber 40, turbulence of the flow of the liquid W flowing through each of the pair of intermediate flow paths 42A, 42B is suppressed. Therefore, the left internal jet F1 and the right internal jet F2 are less likely to be significantly turbulent within the merging chamber 44, and disruption of the regularity of the jet J is suppressed, thereby suppressing an increase in the coefficients of variation of the period and amplitude. As a result, it is possible to set the coefficient of variation of at least one of the period and amplitude to be 0.06 or more and 0.4 or less.

[0064] In the example of the first embodiment described above, the coefficient of variation was greater than 0.4, but the inventors of the present application have found through experimental studies that when the coefficient of variation of at least one of the period and amplitude is greater than or equal to 0.06 and less than or equal to 0.4, the user is less likely to feel uncomfortable with the sound and feel of the water hitting the surface, and is less likely to feel uncomfortable as if there is a malfunction in the discharge device 10. Therefore, the lower and upper limits of the coefficient of variation that can achieve the effects of the second embodiment are 0.06 and 0.4, respectively.

[0065] (Third Embodiment) A third embodiment of the present disclosure will be described.

[0066] 16 to 18. The relay flow path 34 of the third embodiment does not have the first bend portion 35c and the second bend portion 35d, but includes a dimension change portion 35e. The dimension change portion 35e is connected to the ejection flow path 32a. The dimension of the dimension change portion 35e in the vibration direction of the wavy jet J increases toward the downstream side. The dimension change portion 35e of the third embodiment is formed by the first flow path portion 35a and the second flow path portion 35b. The dimension of the first flow path portion 35a in the vibration direction of the wavy jet J is larger than the dimension of the second flow path portion 35b in the vibration direction of the wavy jet J. The dimension of the dimension change portion 35e in the vibration direction of the wavy jet J is larger than the dimension of the dimension change portion 35e in the direction of the flow path center line CL1. The vortex generating portion 52 of the third embodiment is mainly composed of a dimension changing portion 35e, a cross-sectional area changing portion 41a, a left bent portion 41a, and a right bent portion 41b.

[0067] See Figure 19. In the discharge device 10 of the third embodiment, the period and amplitude of the wavy jet J fluctuate each time the wavy jet J repeats vibration. Therefore, it can be seen that the discharge device 10 of the third embodiment ejects a wavy jet J with an irregular period and amplitude. It can be seen that the above fluctuations in the third embodiment are smaller than those in the first and second embodiments (see Figures 12 and 15). As an example, the coefficients of variation of the period and amplitude of a prototype in the third embodiment were 0.122 and 0.071, respectively.

[0068] According to the third embodiment, the dimension of the dimension change section 35e in the vibration direction increases toward the downstream side. Therefore, as the liquid W passes through the dimension change section 35e, the velocity vector component of the flow of the liquid W toward the vibration direction gradually increases. The liquid W passes through the cross-sectional area change section 41a while maintaining a velocity vector component toward the vibration direction and collides with the upper surface of the storage chamber 40. Therefore, a difference in flow velocity in the vibration direction near the upper surface and the lower surface of the storage chamber 40 is unlikely to occur, and the flow of the liquid W is unlikely to be turbulent near the downstream end of the relay flow path 34. Because the flow of the liquid W with relatively intact flow rectification enters each of the pair of intermediate flow paths 42A, 42B, turbulence in the flow of the liquid W flowing through each of the pair of intermediate flow paths 42A, 42B is suppressed. Therefore, the left internal jet F1 and the right internal jet F2 are unlikely to be significantly turbulent within the confluence chamber 44, and disruption of the regularity of the jet J is suppressed, thereby suppressing an increase in the coefficients of variation of the period and amplitude. As a result, it is possible to set the coefficient of variation of at least one of the period and amplitude to 0.06 or more and 0.13 or less.

[0069] In the example of the second embodiment described above, the coefficient of variation was greater than 0.13, but the inventors of the present application have found through experimental studies that when the coefficient of variation of at least one of the period and amplitude is greater than or equal to 0.06 and less than or equal to 0.13, the user is less likely to feel uncomfortable with the sound and feel of the water hitting the surface, while being extremely unlikely to feel uncomfortable as if there is a malfunction in the discharge device 10. Therefore, the lower and upper limits of the coefficient of variation that can achieve the effects of the third embodiment are 0.06 and 0.13, respectively.

[0070] (Evaluation) As an example, a questionnaire evaluation of bathing sensation was carried out using the prototypes of the first, second and third embodiments described above, with the coefficient of variation being taken into account.

[0071] The results of the questionnaire evaluation showed that the sound of water landing and the feel of the ball hitting the water were less likely to give the user an uncomfortable feeling in the order of the prototypes of the third embodiment, the second embodiment, and the first embodiment, i.e., as the coefficient of variation increased.The results also showed that the impression of a malfunction was less likely to give the user an impression of a malfunction in the order of the prototypes of the first embodiment, the second embodiment, and the third embodiment, i.e., as the coefficient of variation decreased.

[0072] (Modifications) Other modifications of each component will be described.

[0073] There is no particular limitation on the specific example of the sanitary equipment 12. The sanitary equipment 12 may be, for example, a toilet equipment, a kitchen equipment, a washroom equipment, etc. There is no particular limitation on the specific example of the tank body of the sanitary equipment 12. The tank body of the sanitary equipment 12 may be, for example, a sink such as a kitchen sink or a hand washing sink.

[0074] The bathroom facility 14 only needs to have at least a bathtub 16, and does not need to have bathroom walls, a washing area floor, etc.

[0075] The storage tank 20 is not limited to the bathtub 16. For example, the storage tank 20 may be provided separately from the bathtub 16. Water may be supplied to the liquid supply path 22 from a water supply facility such as a waterworks system provided outside the building in which the sanitary equipment 12 is installed. In this case, the discharge system 18 does not need to include the pump 24 because water under pressure from the water supply facility is supplied to the liquid supply path 22.

[0076] There is no particular limitation on the specific example of the discharge device 10. For example, the discharge device 10 may be used as a shower device or a faucet device.

[0077] The discharge device 10 is only required to be able to spray the jet J so as to hit the user's body, and there are no particular limitations on the position on the user where the jet J hits. For example, the discharge device 10 may spray the jet J so as to hit the user's body from the side.

[0078] Unlike the embodiment, the base 30 to which the device main body 28 is attached may be intended for something other than the bathtub 16.

[0079] A specific example of the liquid W to be sprayed is not limited to bath water, but may be, for example, liquid detergent.

[0080] A specific example of the moving jet J is not limited to a wave-like jet. The moving jet J may be, for example, a spiral jet that is radially ejected by rotating the ejection direction of the jet around the center of rotation. The discharge flow path 32b ejects a film-like flow. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the discharge flow path 32b may also eject a mist flow or a shower flow.

[0081] There are no particular limitations on the mechanism by which the induction flow path 36 induces the wavy jet J. For example, the induction flow path 36 may induce the wavy jet by generating Karman vortices as an induction flow, or may induce the wavy jet by utilizing the Coanda effect.

[0082] In the above embodiment, the regularity-disturbing unit 50 is configured by the relay flow path 34 and the storage chamber 40. However, without being limited thereto, the regularity-disturbing unit 50 may be configured by at least one of the relay flow path 34, the storage chamber 40, the intermediate flow path 42, and the merging chamber 44. The vortex flow generating unit 52 may be formed in at least one of the relay flow path 34, the storage chamber 40, the intermediate flow path 42, and the merging chamber 44.

[0083] In the above embodiment, the regularity-disturbing unit 50 includes a vortex generating unit 52 that generates a vortex in the liquid W. However, the regularity-disturbing unit 50 is not limited to this, and may also disturb the regularity of the waves formed by the wavy jet J by a method other than generating a vortex in the liquid W.

[0084] In the above embodiment, the regularity of the waves is disturbed by keeping the coefficient of variation within a predetermined range, but the present invention is not limited to this, and the regularity of the waves may be disturbed based on other factors different from the coefficient of variation.

[0085] The supply flow rate from the pump 24, the measurement time, and the measurement position of the jet displacement when measuring the displacement of the wavy jet J in the Y direction are not limited to the above-mentioned examples. These can be changed as appropriate.

[0086] In the above embodiment, the bending angles θ1 and θ2 of the first bending portion 35c and the second bending portion 35d are each 45°. However, this is not limited thereto, and the bending angles θ1 and θ2 of the first bending portion 35c and the second bending portion 35d may be other angles.

[0087] In the above embodiment, two intermediate flow paths 42A and 42B are provided in the induced flow path 36. However, this is not limited thereto, and for example, two or more intermediate flow paths 42 may be provided in the induced flow path 36 by providing an additional intermediate flow path 42 that passes through the first wall portion 46 from the storage chamber 40 and connects to the merging chamber 44.

[0088] The embodiments and modifications have been described. Any combination of the above components is also valid as an aspect of the technical idea that abstracts the embodiments and modifications. For example, any description of another embodiment may be combined with the embodiment, or any description of an embodiment and another modification may be combined with the modification. Hatching on cross sections in the drawings does not limit the material of the hatched object. [Explanation of symbols]

[0089] 10...discharge device, 12...sanitary equipment, 28...device main body, 32a...injection flow path, 34...relay flow path, 35a...first flow path section, 35b...second flow path section, 35c...first bend section, 35d...second bend section, 35e...dimensional change section, 36...inducing flow path, 38a...injection hole, 41a...cross-sectional area change section, 41b...left bend section, 41c...right bend section, 50...regularity disturbance section, 52...vortex generation section.

Claims

1. a device body in which a jet flow path capable of jetting a wave-like jet is formed; a regularity disturbing unit provided in the device body, which disturbs the regularity of the waves so that a coefficient of variation of at least one of a period and an amplitude of a plurality of successive unit waveforms in the waves falls within a predetermined range, when a waveform of half a period in the waves formed by the wavy jet is referred to as a unit waveform; a relay flow path provided in the device body and supplying liquid to the ejection flow path; a storage chamber provided in the ejection flow path, into which liquid flows from a downstream end outlet of the relay flow path; Equipped with The regularity disturbance portion includes a cross-sectional area changing portion whose cross-sectional area in a direction perpendicular to the central axis changes so as to increase from the downstream end of the relay flow path toward the upstream end of the storage chamber.

2. a device body in which a jet flow path capable of jetting a wave-like jet is formed; a regularity disturbing unit provided in the device body, which disturbs the regularity of the waves so that a coefficient of variation of at least one of a period and an amplitude of a plurality of successive unit waveforms in the waves falls within a predetermined range, when a waveform of half a period in the waves formed by the wavy jet is referred to as a unit waveform; a relay flow path provided in the device body and supplying liquid to the ejection flow path; Equipped with The discharge device, wherein the regularity disrupting section is provided in the relay flow path and includes a dimension changing section whose dimension in a horizontal direction perpendicular to the discharge direction of the discharge device increases toward the downstream side.

3. The ejection device according to claim 1 , wherein the lower limit of the predetermined range is 0.

06.

4. The ejection device according to claim 1 , wherein the upper limit of the predetermined range is 2.

00.

5. the ejection flow path includes a plurality of intermediate flow paths into which liquid flows from an upstream side, and the liquid that has flowed through each of the plurality of intermediate flow paths is merged to eject the wavy jet, The discharge device according to claim 1 , wherein the regularity disturbance section includes a vortex generating section that generates a vortex in the liquid flowing upstream of the plurality of intermediate flow paths.

6. The discharge device according to claim 1 , wherein the discharge device is attached to the periphery of the upper opening of the bathtub.

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