Bubble generator and water supply device equipped with bubble generator

Abstract

To provide a bubble generator with high bubble content in a liquid.SOLUTION: In a bubble generator for mixing air bubbles containing fine air bubbles with a liquid, a generator body 8 comprises an upstream part 6 and a downstream part 7. The generator body 8 comprises: an inflow port 12 for water 2; a pressurizing port 13; a mixing port 22 which mixes air 14 into water 2, has a diameter that is smaller than the inflow port 12 and equal to or larger than the pressurizing port 13; and an outflow port 23 which is the outflow port 23 for water 2 on a downstream side of the mixing port 22, and has a diameter larger than the mixing port 22. A mating part between the upstream part 6 and the downstream part 7 forms a gas inlet for mixing external air 14 into the mixing port 22.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a bubble generator and a water supply device equipped with a bubble generator. [Background technology]

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

[0003] The through-hole 4 is configured so that the liquid (fluid in Patent Document 1) swirls as it travels through the through-hole 4. That is, the through-hole 4 has a constricted shape that is narrow in the center and widens at both ends. In other words, the through-hole 4 is formed so that the centrifugal force caused by the rotation of the liquid is greater and the pressure in the center is greatly reduced. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Patent No. 6312768 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] In the fine bubble generator 1 of Patent Document 1, the through-holes 4 are narrow in the center and wide at both ends so that the centrifugal force caused by the rotation of the liquid is greater and the pressure at the center is greatly reduced, but it is pointed out that the bubble content in the liquid is low.

[0006] Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a bubble generator that produces a liquid with a high bubble content, and a water supply device equipped with a bubble generator. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] The present invention provides a bubble generator for mixing bubbles, including fine bubbles, into a liquid, the bubble generator comprising a generator main body having an upstream section disposed upstream in the direction of flow of the liquid, and a downstream section disposed downstream in the direction of flow relative to the upstream section and combined with the upstream section, the generator main body having a liquid inlet and a downstream section disposed downstream of the inlet, the downstream section configured to mix the liquid flowing out of the inlet with the liquid acceleration The inner diameter is smaller than that of the inlet. acceleration mouth And, acceleration mouth and acceleration mouth A gas is mixed into the liquid flowing out from the inlet, and the inner diameter of the inlet is smaller than that of the inlet. acceleration mouth and an outlet for liquid flowing out from the mixing inlet, the outlet having an inner diameter larger than that of the mixing inlet, the outlet being arranged downstream of the mixing inlet, the inner diameter of the outlet being larger than that of the mixing inlet, and the joining portion at the combination of the upstream portion and the downstream portion forms a gas inlet for mixing external gas into the mixing inlet. The upstream portion and the downstream portion of the joint are formed with threads that are threadedly engaged with each other, and a gap between the threads forms at least a part of the gas inlet. It is a bubble generator.

[0008] According to the bubble generator of the present invention having the above-described configuration, a liquid flows in through the inlet, acceleration mouth The liquid acceleration When this occurs, the flow rate of the liquid is increased by the Venturi effect, and by mixing gas into the liquid at the mixing inlet from the gas inlet formed at the joining point of the upstream and downstream sections, a large amount of gas is mixed into the liquid as fine bubbles, thereby increasing the bubble content in the liquid from the outlet.

[0009] In the present invention, the gas inlet The joint includes an open portion where a gap is formed between the upstream portion and the downstream portion of the joint, and a closed portion where the upstream portion and the downstream portion abut against each other by threaded engagement of the threads. It can also be configured as:

[0010] In the present invention, A bubble generator for mixing bubbles including fine bubbles into a liquid, the bubble generator comprising: an upstream section disposed upstream in the direction of liquid flow; and a downstream section disposed downstream in the direction of liquid flow relative to the upstream section and combined with the upstream section, the generator main section comprising an inlet for liquid; an acceleration port disposed downstream of the inlet for accelerating the liquid flowing out from the inlet and having an inner diameter smaller than the inlet; and an acceleration port disposed downstream of the acceleration port for mixing gas into the liquid flowing out from the acceleration port and having an inner diameter larger than the inlet. a mixing inlet having a diameter smaller than the acceleration inlet and equal to or larger than the acceleration inlet; and an outlet for liquid flowing out from the mixing inlet, the outlet being arranged downstream of the mixing inlet and having an inner diameter larger than the mixing inlet, wherein the joining portion at the combination of the upstream portion and the downstream portion forms a gas inlet for mixing external gas into the mixing inlet, and the gas inlet includes an open portion at the joining portion where a gap is formed between the upstream portion and the downstream portion, and a closed portion where the portion between the upstream portion and the downstream portion is closed. .

[0011] According to the bubble generator having the above configuration, the amount of gas flowing in can be adjusted by adjusting the size of the gap between the upstream portion and the downstream portion using the closed portion and the open portion.

[0012] In the present invention, the mixing inlet may be configured so that its inner diameter tapers from the upstream side to the downstream side.

[0013] According to the bubble generator having the above configuration, acceleration mouth The liquid that flows out from the inlet is at least partially released from the pressure on the upstream side of the inlet, and the liquid is drawn in again by the tapered inner diameter that becomes smaller toward the downstream side. acceleration By doing so, it is possible to encourage the gas to mix with the liquid and make the bubbles finer.

[0014] In the present invention, the mixing inlet may be configured so that its inner diameter tapers from the upstream side to the downstream side.

[0015] According to the bubble generator having the above configuration, acceleration mouth The liquid flowing from the mixing port has its pressure gradually released at the mixing port, encouraging the gas to mix into the liquid.

[0016] The water supply device may also utilize any of the above bubble generators. [Effects of the Invention]

[0017] According to the bubble generator and the water supply device equipped with the bubble generator of the present invention, acceleration mouth The liquid acceleration This increases the flow rate of the liquid due to the Venturi effect, and as gas is mixed into the liquid from the gas inlet to the mixing inlet, a large amount of gas is mixed into the liquid as fine bubbles, thereby increasing the bubble content of the liquid flowing out from the outlet. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0018] [Figure 1] FIG. 2 is a partially cutaway view showing the location of the bubble generator according to the first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is an overall perspective view of the bubble generator from the upstream side. [Figure 3] FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the upstream and downstream portions of the bubble generator. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the upstream portion of the bubble generator. [Figure 5]FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the downstream side of the bubble generator, including a part of the upstream portion. [Figure 6] FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view of a combined upstream and downstream portion of a bubble generator according to a second embodiment of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0019] A bubble generator according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to Figs. 1 to 6. As shown in Fig. 1, the bubble generator 1 according to this embodiment will be described as an example used in a shower device 3, which is a water supply device, so that bubbles including fine bubbles are mixed with water (liquid) 2. In this case, the bubbles include microbubbles and ultrafine bubbles. bubble Microbubbles are bubbles of 1 μm or larger, and smaller bubbles are ultrafine. bubble It is called.

[0020] As shown in the figure, the bubble generator 1 is disposed at the connection portion between the shower head 4 and the shower hose 5, and is housed on the shower head 4 side.

[0021] As shown in Figures 1 and 2, the bubble generator 1 has a cylindrical outer shell, and includes a generator main body 8 having an upstream portion 6 and a downstream portion 7. The generator main body 8 has an upstream end face 6a, a downstream end face 7a, and through-holes (described in detail later) formed in the inner diameter portions of the upstream portion 6 and the downstream portion 7.

[0022] The location of the bubble generator 1 will now be described in detail. As shown in Figure 1, a thread 10 formed on the inlet end of the body 9 of the shower head 4 is configured to threadably engage with a connector 5a on the outlet side of the shower hose 5, and the bubble generator 1 is housed so as to be removably fitted inside the thread 10 of the shower head 4. The inlet side of the body 9 of the shower head 4 has a holding step 11 for attaching a water-saving device (not shown). The holding step 11 allows the downstream end face 7a of the generator body 8 to abut against the inside of the thread 10. The upstream end face 6a of the generator body 8 is positioned flush with the inlet end 10a of the thread 10, and the upstream end face 6a can abut against the inner step 5b of the connector 5a when the screw 10 and the connector 5a are threaded together.

[0023] The entire bubble generator 1, from the upstream end face 6a to the downstream end face 7a, is housed inside the screw 10 of the main body 9 of the shower head 4, and the flow direction (upstream / downstream direction) of the water 2 in the shower device 3 is positioned by the downstream end face 7a abutting against the holding step 11 of the main body 9 and the upstream end face 6a abutting against the inner step 5b of the connector 5a.

[0024] The detailed configuration of the bubble generator 1 will be described with reference to FIG.

[0025] [Upstream section] First, the upstream portion 6 of the generator main body 8 will be described. The upstream portion 6 includes an upstream body portion 6A, an inlet 12 as the penetration portion formed in the upstream body portion 6A, and acceleration mouth The upstream body 6A has an inlet 12 and a first trap 15 for taking in air 14 into the generator main body 8. The upstream outer diameter surface 16 of the upstream body 6A is cylindrical with a uniform diameter in the flow direction. acceleration mouth 13 are pierced to allow communication.

[0026] The inlet 12 has an inlet 17 and a throttle port 18 (a buffer section). The inlet 17 opens at the upstream end surface 6a of the upstream section 6. The inlet 17 is formed perpendicular to the flow of the water 2 and is configured to introduce the water 2 from the shower hose 5 (see FIG. 1). The inner diameter surface 17a of the inlet 17 is cylindrical with a uniform diameter (dimension D1 in FIG. 3) in the flow direction. The throttle port 18 is disposed so as to communicate with the downstream side of the inlet 17. The inner diameter surface 18a of the throttle port 18 is tapered, being a truncated cone that narrows downstream. The inner diameter of the upstream side of the throttle port 18 is the same as the inner diameter of the inlet 17. The lengths of the inlet 17 and the throttle port 18 in the flow direction are approximately the same.

[0027] acceleration mouth 13 is connected so as to be in communication with the central downstream side of the throttle port 18. acceleration mouth The inner diameter surface 13a of the nozzle 13 is cylindrical with a uniform diameter (dimension D2 in FIG. 3) in the flow direction. acceleration mouth The inner diameter of 13 is the same as the inner diameter of the downstream end of the throttle port 18. acceleration mouth Reference numeral 13 denotes a through-hole whose inner diameter is smaller than the inner diameter of the inlet 12, and which is used to increase the flow rate from the inlet 12 (to generate a pressure difference). acceleration mouth The length of 13 in the flow direction is acceleration mouth It is said to be 1.5 times the diameter of 13.

[0028] As shown in FIG. 3, the first trap 15 is a structure for taking gas, namely air 14, into the generator main body 8 in combination with a second trap 19 formed in the downstream section 7.

[0029] The first trap 15 will be described with reference to Figures 3 and 4. The first trap 15 is acceleration mouth 13 has a peripheral portion thereof and an annular recess 20 facing the upstream side. acceleration mouth 13 is arranged at the center of the recess 20. The recess 20 has an upstream bottom surface 20a and acceleration mouth 13 side and an outer surface 20c on the upstream outer diameter surface 16 side.

[0030] The bottom surface 20a is formed as an annular surface parallel to the upstream end surface 6a. acceleration mouth 13 is a plane perpendicular to the central axis C (the radial center of the generator main body 8) in the flow direction of the nozzle 13, acceleration mouth 13. The inner surface 20b is formed into a truncated cone-like surface so as to narrow downstream with respect to the central axis C, and is tapered. This tapered shape narrows downstream when viewed from the truncated cone in FIG. 3, but widens toward the downstream side when viewed from the recess 20 itself. The downstream end of this inner surface 20b is acceleration mouth The downstream surface 13b is formed continuously with the upstream end surface 6a of the nozzle 13. The downstream surface 13b is an annular surface with respect to the central axis C. acceleration mouth The outer surface 20c is parallel to the central axis C and is formed parallel to the upstream outer diameter surface 16. The downstream end of the outer surface 20c is acceleration mouth The downstream surface 13b of the nozzle 13 extends downstream from the downstream surface 13b of the nozzle 13 and is formed as an extended surface 6b that is parallel to the upstream end surface 6a. The extended surface 6b is an annular surface that is perpendicular to the central axis C. The difference in extension between the downstream surface 13b and the extended surface 6b is represented by the dimension L in FIG. 4.

[0031] [Downstream] Next, we will explain the downstream section 7 of the generator main body 8. As shown in Figures 3 and 5, the downstream section 7 includes a downstream body section 21, a mixing inlet 22 and an outlet 23 as the through-holes, and a second trap 19.

[0032] The downstream outer diameter surface 21a of the downstream body section 21 is cylindrical and has a uniform outer diameter in the flow direction, similar to the upstream outer diameter surface 16 of the upstream body section 6A. A mixing inlet 22 and an outlet 23 located downstream of the mixing inlet 22 penetrate the radial center of the downstream body section 21.

[0033] The mixing inlet 22 has an upstream mixing inlet 24 on the upstream side and a downstream mixing inlet 25 on the downstream side that is connected to the upstream mixing inlet 24. The upstream mixing inlet 24 is open on the upstream side, acceleration mouth13. The inner diameter surface 25a of the downstream mixing inlet 25 is cylindrical with a uniform diameter (dimension D3 in FIG. 3) in the flow direction along the lower end of the inner diameter surface of the upstream mixing inlet 24.

[0034] The inner diameter surface 24a of the upstream mixing inlet 24 is acceleration mouth 13 and is tapered with a truncated cone-like surface that narrows downstream.

[0035] The diameter of the upstream side and the downstream side of the tapered mixing inlet 22 are acceleration mouth 13. That is, D1 > diameter of upstream mixing inlet 24 > D2, D1 > diameter of downstream mixing inlet 25 D3 > D2. The length of the upstream mixing inlet 24 in the flow direction is longer than the length of the downstream mixing inlet 25.

[0036] The outlet 23 has an upstream outlet 26 on the upstream side (the mixing inlet 22 side) and a downstream outlet 27 arranged to communicate with the downstream side of the upstream outlet 26. The upstream outlet 26 is connected to the downstream mixing inlet 25. The inner diameter surface 26a of the upstream outlet 26 is formed into a truncated cone-like surface that expands downstream from the lower end of the inner diameter surface of the downstream mixing inlet 25, forming a tapered shape. The inner diameter surface 27a of the downstream outlet 27 is cylindrical with a uniform diameter (dimension D4 in Figure 3) in the flow direction along the lower end of the inner diameter surface of the upstream outlet 26. The downstream outlet 27 is also called a trumpet outlet.

[0037] Regarding the diameters of the upstream and downstream sides of the tapered shape of the outlet 23, the diameter at the upstream end is the same as the diameter of the downstream mixing inlet 25. Furthermore, the diameter of the tapered downstream side of the outlet 23 is formed to be larger than D1. Alternatively, the diameter of the tapered downstream side of the outlet 23 is formed to be equal to D1. In other words, D1≦D4. The lengths of the mixing inlet 22 and the outlet 23 in the flow direction are formed to be approximately equal.

[0038] As shown in Figure 3, the second trap 19 is structured to take in air 14 into the generator main body 8 in combination with the first trap 15 formed in the upstream section 6. The second trap 19 has a protrusion 28 that fits into the recess 20 of the first trap 15. The protrusion 28 is arranged in an annular shape in the outer circumferential region of the upstream mixing inlet 24. In this embodiment, the protrusion 28 is formed with a trapezoidal cross section to correspond to the recess 20.

[0039] As shown in Figure 5, the convex portion 28 has an upper surface 28a that faces the bottom surface 20a of the concave portion 20 in the upstream / downstream direction, an inner facing surface 28b that faces the inner surface 20b in the radial direction, and an outer facing surface 28c that faces the outer surface 20c in the radial direction. The upper surface 28a is parallel to the downstream end surface 7a and is an annular surface that is perpendicular to the central axis C. The inner facing surface 28b has the same inclination as the inner diameter surface 24a of the upstream mixing inlet 24. Furthermore, in the combination of the upstream portion 6 and the downstream portion 7, the inner facing surface 28b and the inner surface 20b are arranged to be aligned, and this configuration acceleration mouth The downstream surface 13b of 13 is located midway in the flow direction of the upstream mixing inlet 24. The outer facing surface 28c is a surface parallel to the downstream outer diameter surface 21a of the downstream body section 21 and is also parallel to the central axis C. On the downstream outside of the outer facing surface 28c is formed an extended facing surface 21b that is a surface parallel to the downstream end surface 7a and faces the extended surface 6b. The extended facing surface 21b is an annular surface perpendicular to the central axis C.

[0040] Here, the relationship between the inner diameter surface and the like of the generator main body 8 having the upstream section 6 and downstream section 7 will be summarized.

[0041] The inlet 17 at the inlet 12 has a cylindrical inner diameter surface 17a with a diameter D1, and the throttle port 18 has a tapered inner diameter surface 18a. acceleration mouth 13 is the diameter D2 of the cylindrical inner diameter surface 13a. acceleration mouth The diameter D2 of the inner diameter surface 13a of the inlet 13 is set smaller than the diameter D1 of the inner diameter surface 17a of the inlet 12.

[0042] Inlet 17 and acceleration mouthThe throttle port 18 is disposed between the intake port 13 and the intake port 17, and the upstream end of the inner diameter surface 18a of the throttle port 18 is connected to the intake port 17, and the downstream end of the inner diameter surface 18a of the throttle port 18 is acceleration mouth The upstream mixing inlet 24 of the mixing inlet 22 has a tapered inner diameter surface 24a, and the diameter of this inner diameter surface 24a is acceleration mouth The diameter D2 of the inner diameter surface 13a of the bearing 13 is set to be larger than the diameter D2 of the inner diameter surface 13a of the bearing 13. acceleration mouth A downstream surface 13b is provided on the downstream end side of the 13 in the flow direction, acceleration mouth A step (with a step) is formed on the downstream end side of 13 in the flow direction and on the downstream surface 13b.

[0043] Furthermore, the tapered inner diameter surface 24a of the upstream mixing inlet 24 has a greater inclination than the tapered inner diameter surface 18a of the throttle port 18. However, with respect to the central axis C, the inner diameter surface 18a of the throttle port 18 has a larger tapered surface than the inner diameter surface 24a of the upstream mixing inlet 24. acceleration mouth An outlet 23 is connected to the flow passage 13 via a mixing inlet 22, and a downstream outlet 27 called a trumpet port is connected to the downstream side of the outlet 23.

[0044] At the mixing inlet 22, acceleration mouth The diameter of the inner diameter surface 24a of the upstream mixing inlet 24 close to 13 is acceleration mouth The diameter D3 of the inner diameter surface 25a of the downstream mixing inlet 25 of the mixing inlet 22 is set to be larger than the diameter D3 of the inner diameter surface 25a of the downstream mixing inlet 25 away from the mixing inlet 22. acceleration mouth The diameter D3 of the inner diameter surface 25a of the downstream mixing inlet 25 of the mixing inlet 22 is set to be smaller than the diameter D1 of the inner diameter surface 17a of the introduction port 17 of the inlet 12.

[0045] The diameter D1 of the inner diameter surface 17a of the inlet 17 at the inlet 12 and the diameter D4 of the inner diameter surface 27a of the downstream outlet 27 at the outlet 23 are set such that the diameter D4 of the inner diameter surface 27a of the downstream outlet 27 is larger than the diameter D1 of the inner diameter surface 17a of the inlet 17.

[0046] The diameter D3 of the inner diameter surface 25a of the downstream mixing inlet 25 of the mixing inlet 22 is acceleration mouthThe diameter D2 of the inner diameter surface 13a of the bearing 13 is set to 1.2 to 2.0 times. acceleration mouth The diameter D2 of the inner diameter surface 13a of the mixing inlet 13 is set to 3 mm, and the diameter D3 of the inner diameter surface 25a of the downstream mixing inlet 25 of the mixing inlet 22 is set to 3.5 mm.

[0047] The tapered inner diameter surface 24a of the upstream mixing inlet 24 and the tapered inner diameter surface 26a of the upstream outlet 26 are inclined in opposite directions, and the tapered inner diameter surface 24a of the upstream mixing inlet 24 has a greater inclination than the tapered inner diameter surface 26a of the upstream outlet 26. However, with respect to the central axis C, the tapered inner diameter surface 26a of the upstream outlet 26 has a greater taper than the tapered inner diameter surface 24a of the upstream mixing inlet 24.

[0048] The relationship between the inner diameter surfaces and the like of the generator main body 8 having the upstream section 6 and downstream section 7 has been described above.

[0049] Here, the combination of the first trap 15 and the second trap 19 forms a joint between the upstream section 6 and the downstream section 7, and the inner facing surface 28b and the inner surface 20b ( acceleration mouth 13) is an inlet portion P of the air 14, and the air 14 is sent from the inlet portion P to the upstream mixing inlet 24. That is, the bottom surface 20a and the top surface 28a, the extended surface 6b and the extended opposing surface 21b, the outer surface 20c and the outer opposing surface 28c, and the inner surface 20b and the inner opposing surface 28b, which are the joining portions of the first trap 15 and the second trap 19 that constitute the combination of the upstream section 6 and the downstream section 7, are inlet 12, acceleration mouth When water 2 flows through mixing inlet 22 and outlet 23, air 14 from outside the diameter (external) is mixed into mixing inlet 22, that is, into the diameter of generator main body 8.

[0050] In the first trap 15 and the second trap 19, as shown in FIG. 5, gaps δ1, δ2, and δ3 are formed between the extended surface 6b and the extended facing surface 21b, between the outer surface 20c and the outer facing surface 28c, and between the inner surface 20b and the inner facing surface 28b, respectively. That is, the gaps between the extended surface 6b and the extended facing surface 21b, between the outer surface 20c and the outer facing surface 28c, and between the inner surface 20b and the inner facing surface 28b are open. On the other hand, when the upstream section 6 and the downstream section 7 are combined, the bottom surface 20a and the top surface 28a are closed. In other words, the gaps δ1, δ2, and δ3 are the same gap.

[0051] That is, inlet 12, acceleration mouth When water 2 flows through 13, inlet 22, and outlet 23, the joint between first trap 15 and second trap 19 functions as a gas amount adjustment means for introducing air 14 from outside the diameter into inlet 22. As described above, when water 2 flows, air 14 from outside the diameter is introduced through gap δ1 between extended surface 6b and extended opposing surface 21b, which is the open portion. When air 14 reaches gap δ2 between outer side surface 20c and outer opposing surface 28c, the closed bottom surface 20a and top surface 28a are opened by the pressure of water 2. Air 14 then reaches gap δ3 between inner side surface 20b and inner opposing surface 28b, and reaches inlet portion P of upstream inlet 24.

[0052] At this time, the downstream end of the outer surface 20c is, as shown by the dimension L in FIG. acceleration mouth The gap δ1 between the extension surface 6b and the extended opposing surface 21b extends downstream from the downstream surface 13b of the upstream mixing inlet 24, and is defined as the extension surface 6b. In other words, the gap δ1 between the extension surface 6b and the extended opposing surface 21b extends downstream from the inflow portion P of the air 14 at the upstream mixing inlet 24.

[0053] Furthermore, in order for the bottom surface 20a and the top surface 28a to be open, a small gap is provided between the holding step 11, with which the downstream end surface 7a of the bubble generator 1 can come into contact, and the inner step 5b of the connector 5a, with which the upstream end surface 6a of the bubble generator 1 can come into contact. With this configuration, the upstream portion 6 and the downstream portion 7 are spaced apart in the flow direction (upstream and downstream), thereby adjusting the amount of air 14 flowing into the inflow portion P of the air 14.

[0054] With the above-described configuration of the gas amount adjusting means, the generator main body 8 is assembled inside the thread 10 of the shower head 4, the connector 5a of the shower hose 5 is screwed onto the thread 10 of the shower head 4, and water 2 flows into the penetration part, i.e., the inlet 12, acceleration mouth 13, the inlet 22, and the outlet 23, and air 14 from the outside is introduced through the gap δ1 between the extended surface 6b and the extended opposing surface 21b, which is the open part, and when it reaches the gap δ2 between the outer surface 20c and the outer opposing surface 28c, the closed bottom surface 20a and top surface 28a are opened, and further, the air 14 reaches the gap δ3 between the inner surface 20b and the inner opposing surface 28b, and reaches the inlet portion P of the upstream inlet 24.

[0055] Then, water 2 flows in from the inlet 12, acceleration mouth 13 and 2 water acceleration As a result, the flow rate of the water 2 increases due to the Venturi effect, and air 14 is mixed into the water 2 in the mixing inlet 22 from the gas inlet formed at the junction of the first trap 15 and the second trap 19 in the upstream section 6 and the downstream section 7, causing a large amount of air 14 to be mixed into the water 2 as fine bubbles.

[0056] In the first embodiment of the present invention, a first trap 15 is formed at the downstream end of the upstream section 6, a second trap 19 is formed at the upstream end of the downstream section 7, the first trap 15 and the second trap 19 are combined to form a joint, and a passage is formed between the first trap 15 and the second trap 19 through which gas (air 14) flows from the outside of the diameter to the inside of the diameter. In this case, the passage is the extended surface 6b and the extended opposing surface 21b, the outer surface 20c and the outer opposing surface 28c, the bottom surface 20a and the top surface 28a, and the inner surface 20b and the inner opposing surface 28b. Also, acceleration mouthAn outlet (inlet portion P) of the passage is formed between 13 and the mixing inlet 22. acceleration mouth The downstream inner diameter D3 of the inlet 13 is smaller than the upstream inner diameter of the inlet 22, acceleration mouth The downstream interior of 13 and the upstream inner diameter of the mixing inlet 22 are connected at a step, in this case the downstream surface 13b, and an outlet is formed at the step.

[0057] According to such a bubble generator 1, acceleration mouth The water flowing from 13 is 2, acceleration mouth The pressure of the water 2 is released upstream of the inner diameter surface 24a of the inlet 22, which is wider than the inner diameter surface 13a of the inlet 13, and the water 2 is again drawn into the inner diameter surfaces 24a and 25a. acceleration This promotes the mixing of air 14 and makes the bubbles finer. As a result, the content of fine bubbles, that is, microbubbles and ultrafine bubbles, in the water 2 from the outlet 23 can be increased.

[0058] Furthermore, the manufacturing cost of the bubble generator 1 of this embodiment is low because it is simply made by combining the cylindrical upstream section 6 and downstream section 7. In addition, because it is simply made by combining the upstream section 6 and downstream section 7, it is easy to assemble it into the showerhead 4.

[0059] The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment. In the above-described embodiment, the inner diameter surface 24a of the upstream mixing inlet 24 is tapered, and the inner diameter surface 25a of the downstream mixing inlet 25 is cylindrical with a uniform diameter in the flow direction. However, as shown in the second embodiment in Figure 6, the inner diameter surface 24a of the upstream mixing inlet 24 and the inner diameter surface 25a of the downstream mixing inlet 25 can also be cylindrical with a uniform diameter in the flow direction, as shown by the solid line in Figure 6. In this case, the inner diameter surface 24a of the upstream mixing inlet 24 and the inner diameter surface 25a of the downstream mixing inlet 25 are acceleration mouth The inner diameter of the inner surface 13a of the bearing 13 is the same as that of the inner diameter of the bearing 13.

[0060] Furthermore, in the first embodiment, the convex portion 28 is formed to have a trapezoidal cross section, but it can also be formed to have a rectangular cross section as shown in FIG. 6. In this case, the concave portion 20 has a rectangular cross section corresponding to the convex portion 28. Furthermore, a gap δ4, which is an open portion, is formed between the downstream surface 13b of the upstream portion 6 and the upstream surface 7b of the downstream portion 7. This gap δ4 is the same gap as the gaps δ1 to δ3. The other configurations are the same as those of the first embodiment.

[0061] In the second embodiment, the inner diameter surface 24a of the upstream mixing inlet 24 and the inner diameter surface 25a of the downstream mixing inlet 25 are cylindrical with a uniform diameter in the flow direction. acceleration mouth 13, and the inner diameter surface 25a of the downstream mixing inlet 25 may be tapered so that the diameter increases from the upstream side to the downstream side, as shown by the two-dot chain line in Figure 6. The inner diameter surface 26a of the upstream outlet 26 may be configured to continue to the inner diameter surface 25a of the downstream mixing inlet 25 at a different taper angle. In this case, the taper slope of the inner diameter surface 25a of the downstream mixing inlet 25 is greater than the taper slope of the inner diameter surface 26a of the upstream outlet 26. However, with respect to the central axis C, the inner diameter surface 26a is larger than the inner diameter surface 25a.

[0062] According to this bubble generator 1, acceleration mouth The pressure of the water 2 flowing from the inlet 13 is gradually released at the inlet 13, which promotes the mixing of air 14. In this case, the inflow portion P is acceleration mouth The downstream inner diameter of the inlet 13 and the upstream inner diameter of the mixing inlet 22 are formed in the vicinity of the portion where they communicate with each other.

[0063] In the above embodiment, the gaps δ1, δ2, δ3, and δ4 were the same gaps, but by changing the gaps δ1, δ2, δ3, and δ4, they can also be used as a gas amount adjustment means for introducing air 14 from outside the diameter into the mixing inlet 22.

[0064] In the above embodiment, the diameter D1 of the inner diameter surface 17a of the inlet 17 at the inlet 12 and the diameter D4 of the inner diameter surface 27a of the downstream outlet 27 of the outlet 23 were set so that the diameter D4 of the inner diameter surface 27a of the downstream outlet 27 was larger than the diameter D1 of the inner diameter surface 17a of the inlet 17, but D1 and D4 may be the same dimension.

[0065] In the above embodiment, the inflow portion P of the air 14 is in the vicinity of the gap δ3 between the inner surface 20b and the inner facing surface 28b. However, in the upstream portion 6, the inflow port 12 and acceleration mouth The downstream section 7 may be configured with a downstream mixing inlet 13 and an upstream mixing inlet, and this upstream mixing inlet may be cylindrical with a uniform diameter in the flow direction. Alternatively, the downstream section 7 may be configured with a downstream mixing inlet and outlet 23, and this downstream mixing inlet communicates with the upstream mixing inlet and may be formed into a tapered truncated cone surface that narrows in the flow direction. In this case, the upstream mixing inlet in the upstream section 6 and the downstream mixing inlet in the downstream section 7 form a junction, and air 14 flows in from this junction.

[0066] In the above embodiment, the gas amount adjustment means is configured such that the joint between the first trap 15 and the second trap 19 introduces air 14 from the outside into the inlet 22 (within the diameter of the generator main body 8). However, the gas amount adjustment means is not limited to the above embodiment. For example, a configuration is also possible in which radially extending grooves are formed at predetermined intervals in the circumferential direction of the bottom surface 20a of the recess 20 in the above embodiment, so that the bottom surface 20a and the top surface 28a face each other.

[0067] In the above embodiment, the upstream section 6 is formed with the recessed portions 20 and the downstream section 7 is formed with the protruding portions 28. However, the upstream section 6 may have no recessed portions 20 and the downstream section 7 may have no protruding portions 28, and radial grooves may be formed at predetermined intervals in the circumferential direction on the plane, for example, the plane of the downstream section 7. Conversely, the upstream section 6 may have radial grooves formed at predetermined intervals in the circumferential direction on the plane, for example, the plane of the downstream section 7. Furthermore, both the upstream section 6 and the downstream section 7 may have radial grooves formed at predetermined intervals in the circumferential direction that do not interlock with each other in the flow direction. Furthermore, the upstream section 6 may have no recessed portions 20 and the downstream section 7 may have no protruding portions 28, and the two planes may be connected via a C-ring. In this case, the C-ring may have a portion cut out in the circumferential direction, or may be configured so that the upstream portion, or the downstream portion, or the upstream and downstream portions of the C-ring cross section are inserted radially without any portion cut out in the circumferential direction.

[0068] In the above embodiment, the outer facing surface 28c of the upstream section 6 and the outer side surface 20c of the downstream section 7 are fitted together via a gap δ2, but it is also possible to form threads on the outer facing surface 28c and the outer side surface 20c that are screwed together, and introduce air 14 into the interior through the gap between the threads.

[0069] In the above embodiment, the bubble generator 1 has been described as being used in a shower device 3, which is a water supply device. However, the bubble generator of the present invention can also be used for bathing by attaching it to equipment attached to a tap water faucet. Furthermore, because fine bubbles (microbubbles and ultrafine bubbles) have excellent sterilization properties, they can also be used for medical sterilization, wastewater treatment purification, vegetable washing, aquaculture, agriculture, forestry, etc. [Explanation of symbols]

[0070] 1: bubble generator, 2: water, 3: shower device, 4: shower head, 5: shower hose, 5a: connector, 5b: inner step, 6: upstream portion, 6A: upstream body, 6a: upstream end face, 6b: extension surface, 7: downstream portion, 7a: downstream end face, 7b: upstream surface, 8: generator main body, 9: main body, 10a: inlet end, 11: retaining step, 12: inlet, 13: acceleration mouth , 13a: inner diameter surface, 13b: downstream surface, 14: air, 15: first trap, 16: upstream portion outer diameter surface, 17: inlet, 17a: inner diameter surface, 18: throttle port, 18a: inner diameter surface, 19: second trap, 20: recess, 20a: bottom surface, 20b: inner surface, 20c: outer surface, 21: downstream portion body, 21a: downstream portion outer diameter surface, 21b: extended opposing surface, 22: Mixing inlet, 23: outlet, 24: upstream mixing inlet, 24a: inner diameter surface, 25: downstream mixing inlet, 25a: inner diameter surface, 26: upstream outlet, 26a: inner diameter surface, 27: downstream outlet, 27a: inner diameter surface, 28: convex portion, 28a: upper surface, 28b: inner opposing surface, 28c: outer opposing surface, C: central axis, P: inlet portion, δ1: gap, δ2: gap, δ3: gap,

Claims

1. A bubble generator that mixes bubbles including fine bubbles into a liquid, a generator main body including an upstream portion disposed upstream in a direction in which the liquid flows, and a downstream portion disposed downstream in the flow direction relative to the upstream portion and combined with the upstream portion; The generator main body includes: a liquid inlet; an acceleration port that is disposed downstream of the inlet, accelerates the liquid flowing out from the inlet, and has an inner diameter smaller than that of the inlet; a mixing inlet that is arranged downstream of the acceleration inlet, mixes gas into the liquid flowing out of the acceleration inlet, and has an inner diameter smaller than that of the inlet and equal to or larger than that of the acceleration inlet; an outlet for liquid flowing out from the mixing inlet, the outlet being arranged downstream of the mixing inlet and having an inner diameter larger than that of the mixing inlet; The combined portion of the upstream portion and the downstream portion forms a gas inlet for mixing external gas into the mixing inlet, A bubble generator characterized in that the upstream portion and the downstream portion of the joint are formed with threads that threadably engage with each other, and a gap between the threads forms at least a part of the gas inlet.

2. A water supply device comprising the bubble generator according to claim 1.

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