Residential Equipment Machinery

Abstract

To provide housing equipment which is advantageous for downsizing and can discharge jet flows synchronized each other from a plurality of outlets.SOLUTION: Housing equipment 100 of a certain mode includes: a fluid oscillation element 10; a branch flow channel 6 connected to a discharge port 2 of the fluid oscillation element 10, and having a plurality of branch outlets 61, 62; a plurality of transmission flow channels 7 connected to the plurality of branch outlets 61, 62, respectively; and a plurality of merging injection parts 8 having a plurality of injection part inlets 83, 84 connected to each of flow channel outlets 71, 72 of the plurality of transmission flow channels 7, and merging fluid from the plurality of transmission flow channels 7 and injecting to an open space. In the equipment 100, the plurality of merging injection parts 8 synchronize and discharge a plurality of jet flows in which at least one of a flow quantity and a direction of travel is changed with time.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to residential appliances. [Background technology]

[0002] For example, Patent Document 1 describes a fluid oscillator device that acts on a pressurized fluid to generate an exhaust flow in the form of an oscillating spray of fluid droplets. The device includes a fluid inlet, a pair of power nozzles, a passage between the inlet and the power nozzles that has an interface with a pair of sidewalls, an interaction chamber that receives the flow from the nozzles, and a means for increasing the instability of the flow from the power nozzles. The device is configured to generate an oscillating fluid jet with a spatially uniform droplet distribution over a wide range of operating temperatures. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Special Publication No. 2008-517762 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] The present inventors have studied mechanisms for ejecting synchronized jets from multiple outlets and have come to the following new realization. The fluid oscillator device described in Patent Document 1 can generate a single oscillating fluid jet, but cannot generate multiple fluid jets. To generate multiple fluid jets using this device, multiple fluid oscillator devices must be provided, which makes this device disadvantageous in terms of miniaturization. It is also difficult to synchronize multiple fluid jets with this device.

[0005] One object of the present disclosure is to provide a household equipment device that is advantageous for miniaturization and can discharge jets that are synchronized with one another from multiple outlets. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] In order to solve the above problems, a housing equipment according to one embodiment of the present invention includes a fluid oscillation element, a branch flow path connected to an outlet of the fluid oscillation element and having a plurality of branch outlets, a plurality of transmission flow paths respectively connected to the plurality of branch outlets, and a plurality of confluent jetting units having a plurality of jetting unit inlets connected to each of the flow path outlets of the plurality of transmission flow paths, and configured to confluently jet the fluid from the plurality of transmission flow paths and inject it into an open space. The plurality of confluent jetting units synchronously eject a plurality of jets whose flow rate and / or direction change over time. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0007] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a household equipment device according to an embodiment. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a plan view showing an example of the household equipment of FIG. [Figure 3] FIG. 1 is a first diagram illustrating the process of oscillation of a fluid oscillation element. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is a second diagram illustrating the oscillation process of the fluid oscillation element. [Figure 5] FIG. 10 is a third diagram illustrating the oscillation process of the fluid oscillation element. [Figure 6] FIG. 4 is a fourth diagram illustrating the oscillation process of the fluid oscillation element. [Figure 7] 2 is a plan view showing the internal space of the transmission flow path of the household equipment of FIG. 1. FIG. [Figure 8] 2 is a diagram showing a vertical cross section of a junction jetting portion of the household equipment of FIG. 1. FIG. [Figure 9] FIG. 2 is a first diagram illustrating the flow of fluid in the household equipment of FIG. 1. [Figure 10] FIG. 2 is a second diagram illustrating the flow of fluid in the household equipment of FIG. 1. [Figure 11] FIG. 3 is a third diagram illustrating the flow of fluid in the household equipment of FIG. [Figure 12] 2 is a diagram showing a vertical cross section of the household equipment device of FIG. 1 taken along line AA. FIG. [Figure 13] 2 is a diagram showing a cross section of the household equipment device of FIG. 1 taken along line BB. [Figure 14] 2 is a diagram showing a vertical cross section of the household equipment device of FIG. 1 taken along line CC. [Figure 15] FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view taken along line DD of the household equipment shown in FIG. [Figure 16] 2 is a diagram showing an example of an intake opening of the household equipment of FIG. 1. FIG. [Figure 17] 2 is a diagram showing an example of a protrusion of the household equipment of FIG. 1. FIG. [Figure 18] 10A and 10B are diagrams illustrating another example of the arrangement of a plurality of confluence injection portions. [Figure 19] 2 is a diagram showing an example of a fluid ejection port of the household equipment device of FIG. 1. FIG. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0008] The technology of the present disclosure can be applied to various types of home appliances equipped with a discharge device that discharges a fluid. The fluid is not limited to a specific type and may be a gas, a liquid, or a multiphase fluid. As an example, the home appliance of the present disclosure can be applied to a device that discharges a liquid. Examples of such devices include showers, faucets, sprinklers, and chemical sprayers. As an example, the home appliance of the present disclosure can be applied to a device that discharges a gas. Examples of such devices include dryers, hair dryers, hand dryers, and air conditioning and heating equipment. As an example, the home appliance of the present disclosure can be applied to a device that discharges a multiphase fluid. Examples of such devices include a bathroom shower containing air bubbles, a hand-washing faucet, and the like.

[0009] From the viewpoints of usability and design, it is desirable for home appliances to be miniaturized, and miniaturization can also broaden the range of applications. Devices that generate a single fluid jet, such as the device described in Patent Document 1, require multiple fluid oscillators to generate multiple fluid jets, which is disadvantageous in terms of miniaturization.

[0010] In order to discharge synchronized jets, it is possible to consider a configuration in which moving parts such as impellers and gears are added, but in this case, the moving parts may malfunction due to wear, entrapment of dirt, etc.

[0011] The housing equipment of the present disclosure was developed based on these findings and can achieve synchronized jets without using moving parts. Because there are no moving parts, there is almost no risk of breakdown due to wear or debris getting caught. For example, if it is used for cleaning purposes, the synchronized jets can widen the range of areas that can be cleaned. For example, if it is used for spraying onto the human body, the synchronized jets can provide a pleasant massage feeling. The technology of the present disclosure will be described below with reference to embodiments.

[0012] An example of an embodiment will be described below. Identical components will be assigned the same reference numerals, and redundant explanations will be omitted. In each drawing, some components will be omitted, enlarged, or reduced as appropriate for ease of explanation. The drawings should be viewed according to the orientation of the reference numerals. The structures and shapes referred to in this specification include not only structures and shapes that strictly match the contents referred to, but also structures and shapes that deviate by errors such as dimensional errors and manufacturing errors. In each drawing, some components that are not important for explaining the embodiment will be omitted.

[0013] Terms including ordinal numbers such as "first" and "second" are used to describe various components. These terms are used only to distinguish one component from another, and do not limit the configuration of the present disclosure. The following embodiments are provided as examples to help understand the contents of the present disclosure, and do not limit the configuration of the present disclosure.

[0014] [Embodiment] See FIGS. 1, 2, and 3. An embodiment of the present disclosure is a housing equipment 100 that can be used as a water discharger that discharges hot or cold water onto a human body to provide a massage sensation. Hereinafter, the housing equipment 100 may be referred to as the equipment 100. The equipment 100 includes a fluid oscillation element 10, a branch flow path 6 connected to an outlet 2 of the fluid oscillation element 10 and having multiple branch outlets 61 and 62, multiple transmission flow paths 7 connected to the multiple branch outlets 61 and 62, respectively, and multiple confluence jetting units 8 connected to each of the flow path outlets 71 and 72 of the multiple transmission flow paths 7 and confluence fluids from the multiple transmission flow paths 7 to spray them into an open space. As shown in FIG. 1, one transmission flow path is connected to each branch outlet. The multiple confluence jetting units 8 synchronously discharge multiple jets K whose traveling direction changes over time. Note that in this specification, a flow sprayed from a small hole into an open space is referred to as a "jet," a oscillating jet is referred to as a "oscillating flow," and a pulsating jet is referred to as a "pulsating flow." The concept of jet flow includes both oscillating and pulsating flows.

[0015] The synchronization of multiple jets K includes the fact that the periods of time change of the multiple jets K are aligned. When multiple jets K trace wavy trajectories in parallel planes, if the waves oscillate in the same direction, it is called in-phase, and if the waves oscillate in opposite directions, it is called out-of-phase. The device 100 can eject multiple jets K that are in-phase with each other. The device 100 can eject multiple jets K that are out-of-phase with each other.

[0016] For ease of explanation, as shown in the figure, the front-to-back direction on a plane along the ejection direction of the fluid oscillation element 10 is referred to as the X direction, the left-to-right direction perpendicular to the front-to-back direction on the plane is referred to as the Y direction, and the vertical up-down direction is referred to as the Z direction. The direction of the arrow in the X direction is referred to as "rear" or "rearward," and the direction opposite the arrow is referred to as "front" or "forward." The direction of the arrow in the Y direction is referred to as "right" or "rightward," and the direction opposite the arrow is referred to as "left" or "leftward." The X direction, Y direction, and Z direction are mutually orthogonal. These directions are not limited to being strictly orthogonal, and may also be nearly orthogonal. These directional notations do not limit the usage orientation of the device 100; the device 100 can be used in any orientation depending on the application.

[0017] The structure of the fluid oscillation element 10 will be described. The fluid oscillation element 10 includes a flow path body 5 having an inlet 1 and a single outlet 2. In the fluid oscillation element 10, fluid supplied from the outside to the inlet 1 flows through the flow path body 5 and is discharged from the outlet 2. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 , the flow path body 5 is a box-shaped member that is flat from top to bottom and surrounds a path space 18 that serves as a fluid path. The flow path body 5 has a ceiling portion 51 and a bottom portion 52 that sandwich the path space 18, middle wall portions 55 and 56 that divide the path space 18 into left and right thirds, and outer wall portions 57 and 58 that surround the path space 18 from the sides. The inlet 1 is provided at the upstream end of the flow path body 5 so as to supply fluid to the path space 18. The outlet 2 is provided at the downstream end of the flow path body 5 so as to discharge the fluid from the path space 18. The intermediate walls 55, 56 include a first intermediate wall 55 and a second intermediate wall 56 that are provided symmetrically across a left-right bisector (hereinafter referred to as a center line CL) of the fluid oscillation element 10. The left-right centers of the inlet 1 and the outlet 2 are located on the center line CL.

[0018] When the oscillation conditions are met, the fluid oscillator 10 ejects a wavy flow J from the outlet 2. At least one of the ejection direction and ejection amount of the wavy flow J from the outlet 2 changes periodically. The wavy flow J is sometimes called a kinetic flow, a fluctuating flow, etc., depending on the ejection form. Fluid oscillators based on known principles can be used, such as those that generate Karman vortices to induce a wavy moving jet, or those that use the Coanda effect to induce a wavy moving jet. Fluid oscillators themselves are known, so a detailed description will be omitted.

[0019] The fluid oscillation element 10 of the embodiment has a main path 13, a first feedback path 11, and a second feedback path 12. The first feedback path 11 and the second feedback path 12 are collectively referred to as the feedback paths. The main path 13 extends along the center line CL and includes a portion formed between the first intermediate wall portion 55 and the second intermediate wall portion 56 and a portion formed between the outer wall portions 57 and 58. Fluid supplied from the inlet 1 flows through the main path 13 toward the outlet 2. The fluid flowing through the main path 13 is referred to as the "main fluid M."

[0020] The first feedback path 11 is a path that extends substantially in the X direction to the left of the main path 13. The first feedback path 11 is formed between the first intermediate wall portion 55 and the first outer wall portion 57. The second feedback path 12 is a path that extends substantially in the X direction to the right of the main path 13. The second feedback path 12 is formed between the second intermediate wall portion 56 and the second outer wall portion 58. The first feedback path 11 and the second feedback path 12 can be configured symmetrically. The feedback path is a path that feeds back a portion of the main fluid M from the downstream portion 132 to the upstream portion 131 of the main path 13. Hereinafter, the fluid flowing through the feedback path will be referred to as the "return fluid B."

[0021] The operating principle of the fluid oscillation element 10 of this embodiment will be described with reference to Figures 3, 4, 5, and 6. As shown in Figure 3, when the main fluid M is flowing biased toward the second intermediate wall portion 56, the main fluid M flows along the wall surface of the second intermediate wall portion 56 due to the Coanda effect (circle P). At this time, the return fluid B flows into the second feedback path 12 (circle Q).

[0022] 4, the return fluid B that has flowed into the second feedback path 12 applies pressure to the main fluid M in the upstream portion 131. The main fluid M is pushed by the pressure from the return fluid B and separates from the second intermediate wall portion 56, generating a vortex W1 in the space after separation (circle P).

[0023] 5, the vortex W1 gradually grows into a larger vortex, applying pressure to the main fluid M toward the first intermediate wall portion 55. When the main fluid M approaches the first intermediate wall portion 55, the main fluid M flows along the wall surface of the first intermediate wall portion 55 due to the Coanda effect (circle P). At this time, the return fluid B flows into the first feedback path 11 (circle Q).

[0024] As shown in FIG. 6 , the return fluid B flowing through the first feedback path 11 applies pressure to the main fluid M in the upstream section 131. The main fluid M is pushed by the pressure from the return fluid B and separates from the first intermediate wall 55. A second vortex W2 is generated in the space after separation, and the vortex W1 becomes smaller. In this way, the vortex W1 between the main fluid M and the second intermediate wall 56 and the vortex W2 between the main fluid M and the first intermediate wall 55 alternately generate, grow, and shrink. As a result, the fluid oscillation element 10 reaches an oscillation state in which the discharge direction of the main fluid M periodically changes. As a result, the fluid oscillation element 10 discharges a wavy flow J from the discharge port 2. As shown in these figures, the wavy flow J can be considered a fluid flow whose direction of travel swings.

[0025] 1 and 2, the branch flow path 6 will be described. The branch flow path 6 has a branch inlet 63 connected to the discharge port 2, and multiple branch outlets 61 and 62. The branch inlet 63 is provided at the upstream end of a branch flow path main body 68, and the branch outlets 61 and 62 are provided at the downstream end of the branch flow path main body 68. In the example of FIG. 1, the fluid that flows forward from the branch inlet 63 branches in two directions in the branch flow path 6, turns approximately 90°, and is discharged downward from each of the branch outlets 61 and 62.

[0026] The transmission channel 7 will be described with reference to Figures 1 and 7. In Figure 7, the internal spaces 7P and 7Q of the transmission channel 7 are shown exposed. The transmission channel 7 has a transmission channel main body 70, transmission inlets 73 and 74 connected to the branch outlets 61 and 62, and channel outlets 71 and 72 connected to the jetting section inlets 83 and 84 of the confluence jetting section 8. In the example of Figure 1, the transmission channel 7 has one set of transmission inlets 73 and 74 and four sets of channel outlets 71 and 72.

[0027] The transmission flow path main body 70 is a vertically flat box-shaped body with a longitudinal direction in the front-to-rear direction, and has a rectangular shape in a plan view. The transmission flow path main body 70 has internal spaces 7P and 7Q that communicate with transmission inlets 73 and 74 and flow path outlets 71 and 72. The transmission inlets 73 and 74 are pipe-shaped sections that protrude upward from the ceiling of the transmission flow path main body 70 and lead to the upper sides of the internal spaces 7P and 7Q. The transmission inlets 73 and 74 are arranged side by side on the left and right along the front-to-back bisector of the ceiling. The transmission inlets 73 and 74 are arranged in the left-to-right direction. The flow path outlets 71 and 72 are pipe-shaped sections that protrude downward from the bottom of the transmission flow path main body 70 and lead to the lower sides of the internal spaces 7P and 7Q. In the example of FIG. 1, each pair of flow path outlets 71 and 72 are arranged side by side on the front and back along the left-to-right bisector of the bottom.

[0028] The internal spaces 7P and 7Q of the transmission flow path main body 70 are surrounded by a peripheral wall portion 79 and are divided into left and right spaces by a partition wall 77. The internal spaces 7P and 7Q include an internal space 7P on the left side of the partition wall 77 and an internal space 7Q on the right side of the partition wall 77. The partition wall 77 has a partition wall main body 78 extending along the left-right bisector of the bottom, a guide recess 75 recessed from the partition wall main body 78 toward the internal space 7Q, and a guide recess 76 recessed from the partition wall main body 78 toward the internal space 7P. The lower end of the guide recess 75 communicates with the flow path outlet 71, and the lower end of the guide recess 76 communicates with the flow path outlet 72. Fluid from the transmission inlet 73 flows into the internal space 7P of the transmission flow path main body 70 and is discharged from the flow path outlet 71 via the guide recess 75. Fluid from the transmission inlet 74 flows into the internal space 7Q of the transmission flow path main body 70 and is discharged from the flow path outlet 72 via the guide recess 76.

[0029] The confluence injection section 8 will be described with reference to Figures 1 and 8. The household equipment 100 includes multiple confluence injection sections 8, which are distinguished by adding an alphabetical letter to the end of the reference numeral, and are referred to collectively without adding an alphabetical letter. In the example of Figure 1, the household equipment 100 has four confluence injection sections 8A, 8B, 8C, and 8D. The confluence injection sections 8A and 8B inject jets that are in phase with each other, and the confluence injection sections 8C and 8D inject jets that are in phase with each other. The confluence injection sections 8A and 8C inject jets that are out of phase with each other.

[0030] 8 shows a longitudinal cross section taken along the left-right bisector of the confluence-injection unit 8. The confluence-injection unit 8 has a jet unit main body 80, jet unit inlets 83 and 84 connected to the flow path outlets 71 and 72, and a jet port 81 that joins the fluids from the jet unit inlets 83 and 84 and injects them into the open space. Inside the jet unit main body 80, there are provided a confluence unit 87 that communicates with the jet port 81, a first passage 85 that communicates from the jet unit inlet 83 to the confluence unit 87, and a second passage 86 that communicates from the jet unit inlet 84 to the confluence unit 87.

[0031] Fluid from the jet inlet 83 flows into the junction 87 through a first passage 85, and fluid from the jet inlet 84 flows into the junction 87 through a second passage 86. The fluids flowing in from these passages join at the junction 87 and are injected into the open space from the jet port 81 as a jet K. The first passage 85 and the second passage 86 are connected at a predetermined joining angle. As an example, the joining angle can be set in the range of 60° or more and 160° or less.

[0032] The flow of fluid in the device 100 will be described with reference to Figures 9, 10, and 11. Figures 9, 10, and 11 schematically show the flow of fluid in the device 100. The direction of the wavy flow J discharged from the discharge port 2 of the fluid oscillation element 10 changes from left to right over time, as shown in Figures 3 to 6. Below, the flow of fluid will be described for the cases where the direction of the wavy flow J is to the right, to the left, and in a straight line.

[0033] In the state shown in FIG. 9, the fluid J discharged from the discharge port 2 travels diagonally rightward from the branch inlet 63 of the branch flow path 6, passes through the branch outlet 61 and the transmission inlet 73, and flows into the internal space 7P of the transmission flow path 7. The fluid J flowing through the branch outlet 61 is referred to as the first fluid J1. The first fluid J1 that flows into the internal space 7P passes through the flow path outlet 71 and the jetting portion inlet 83 and flows into the first passages 85 of the converging jetting portions 8A and 8B. The first fluid J1 that flows into the first passages 85 of the converging jetting portions 8A and 8B is jetted as a jet K in a direction extending from the jet port 81 along the extension direction of the first passages 85. In the example shown in FIG. 9, the jet K is jetted downward in the drawing.

[0034] In the state shown in FIG. 11 , fluid J discharged from discharge port 2 travels diagonally leftward from branch inlet 63 of branch flow path 6, passes through branch outlet 62 and transmission inlet 74, and flows into internal space 7Q of transmission flow path 7. Fluid J flowing through branch outlet 62 is referred to as second fluid J2. Second fluid J2 that flows into internal space 7Q passes through flow path outlet 72 and jetting portion inlet 84 and flows into second passages 86 of converging jetting portions 8A, 8B. Second fluid J2 that flows into second passages 86 of converging jetting portions 8A, 8B is jetted as jet K in a direction extending from jet port 81 to the extension direction of second passage 86. In the example of FIG. 11 , jet K is jetted upward in the drawing.

[0035] 10, the fluid J discharged from the discharge port 2 travels straight from the branch inlet 63 of the branch flow path 6. Therefore, the fluid J branches into a first fluid J1 and a second fluid J2 at the branch inlet 63, and these fluids simultaneously flow through the paths shown in FIGS. 9 and 11. The first fluid J1 and the second fluid J2 merge again at the junction 87 from the first passage 85 and the second passage 86, and are then ejected as a jet K from the ejection port 81.

[0036] The jet K has a momentum obtained by combining the momentum of the first fluid J1 from the ejection port inlet 83 and the momentum of the second fluid J2 from the ejection port inlet 84. In a state where only the first fluid J1 is present (FIG. 9), the jet K is ejected in the direction of the extension of the first passage 85, and in a state where only the second fluid J2 is present (FIG. 11), the jet K is ejected in the direction of the extension of the second passage 86. In an intermediate state where the first fluid J1 and the second fluid J2 flow simultaneously, the jet K is ejected in a direction depending on the ratio of the momentum of the first fluid J1 to the second fluid J2 between the extension of the first passage 85 and the extension of the second passage 86. In the state shown in FIG. 10, the momentum of the first fluid J1 and the second fluid J2 are the same, and the jet K travels straight laterally from the ejection port 81.

[0037] The device 100 can spray jets K from multiple converging-injecting units 8, which swing in sync with the swing of the wavy flow J discharged from the fluid oscillation element 10. In other words, the device 100 can have as many converging-injecting units 8 as can be connected to the internal spaces 7P, 7Q of the transmission flow path 7, and can spray jets K that swing in sync with each other from each converging-injecting unit 8. As a result, the device 100 can spray fluid in a plane formed by the arrangement direction of the multiple converging-injecting units 8 and the swing direction of the jets K.

[0038] The cross-sectional area of ​​each fluid passage perpendicular to the fluid flow (hereinafter simply referred to as "cross-sectional area") will be described with reference to Figures 12, 13, 14, and 15. The symbol S2 in Figure 12 indicates the cross-sectional area of ​​the discharge port 2 of the fluid oscillation element 10 in the cross section taken along line AA. The symbols S61 and S62 in Figure 13 indicate the cross-sectional areas of the branch outlets 61 and 62 in the cross section taken along line BB. The symbols S71 and S72 in Figure 14 indicate the cross-sectional areas of the internal spaces 7P and 7Q of the transmission flow path 7 in the cross section taken along line CC. The symbols S83 and S84 in Figure 15 indicate the cross-sectional areas of the jetting portion inlets 83 and 84 in the cross section taken along line DD.

[0039] The inventors' extensive research has suggested that a jet K with a desirable swing amplitude can be easily achieved when the cross-sectional area of ​​the fluid passage downstream of the fluid oscillation element 10 is equal to or greater than the cross-sectional area of ​​the downstream end (discharge port 2) of the fluid oscillation element 10. This is thought to be because a narrow cross-sectional area of ​​the downstream fluid passage tends to cause fluid to stagnate downstream. This is thought to be because if a constriction exists in the fluid passage downstream of the fluid oscillation element 10, the fluid stagnates upstream of the constriction, reducing the momentum ratio between the fluids flowing through each branched passage, resulting in a smaller swing amplitude. When a fluid passage branches into multiple passages, the cross-sectional area of ​​the fluid passage can be considered as the sum of the cross-sectional areas of the branched passages. Note that all cross-sectional areas of the fluid passages downstream of the fluid oscillation element 10 may be equal to or greater than the cross-sectional area of ​​the downstream end of the fluid oscillation element 10, or the sum of the cross-sectional areas of the most constricted parts of each fluid passage downstream of the discharge port 2 of the fluid oscillation element 10 may be equal to or greater than the cross-sectional area of ​​the discharge port 2 of the fluid oscillation element 10.

[0040] In the device 100, the sum (S61+S62) of the cross-sectional areas S61, S62 of the branch outlets 61, 62 is equal to or greater than the cross-sectional area S2 of the outlet 2 of the fluid oscillation element 10. The cross-sectional areas S61, S62 may be the cross-sectional areas of the portions having the smallest cross-sectional areas of the fluid passages of the branch flow path 6. In the device 100, the sum (S71+S72) of the cross-sectional areas S71, S72 of the internal spaces 7P, 7Q of the transmission flow path 7 is equal to or greater than the cross-sectional area S2 of the outlet 2 of the fluid oscillation element 10. The cross-sectional areas S71, S72 may be the cross-sectional areas of the portions having the smallest cross-sectional areas of the fluid passages of the internal spaces 7P, 7Q of the transmission flow path 7. In the device 100, the sum (S83+S84+S83+S84+S84+S83+S84+S83) of the cross-sectional areas S83 and S84 of the jetting portion inlets 83 and 84 of the multiple confluence-injecting portions 8 is equal to or greater than the cross-sectional area S2 of the outlet 2 of the fluid oscillation element 10. The cross-sectional areas S83 and S84 may be the cross-sectional areas of the portions with the smallest cross-sectional areas of the fluid passages of the confluence-injecting portions 8. In the device 100, the cross-sectional areas of the narrowest portions of the jetting portions 81 of the multiple confluence-injecting portions 8 are equal to or greater than the cross-sectional area S2 of the outlet 2 of the fluid oscillation element 10.

[0041] The sum of the cross-sectional areas S61 and S62 is preferably 1.2 times or more, and more preferably 2.4 times or more, the cross-sectional area S2 of the outlet 2. The sum of the cross-sectional areas S71 and S72 is preferably 1.2 times or more, and more preferably 2.4 times or more, the cross-sectional area S2 of the outlet 2. The sum of the cross-sectional areas S83 and S84 is preferably 1.2 times or more, and more preferably 2.4 times or more, the cross-sectional area S2 of the outlet 2. When these area ratios are 2.4 times or more, it is easy to achieve a jet K having a desired swing amplitude, and a desirable cleaning effect, a desirable massage effect, etc. can be obtained.

[0042] The suction opening 91 of the device 100 will be described with reference to FIG. 16 . The greater the amount of spray from the confluence jetting portion 8, the stronger the cleaning power or massage sensation. After extensive prototype testing, the inventors discovered that providing an inlet hole downstream of the fluid oscillation element 10 that can draw in fluid from the outside increases the amount of spray from the confluence jetting portion. Therefore, the device 100 of this embodiment has an suction opening 91 downstream of the discharge port 2 of the fluid oscillation element 10 that can draw in fluid from an open space. In the example of FIG. 16 , the suction opening 91 is a downward-facing opening provided at the bottom 67 of the branch flow path 6, downstream of the branch inlet 63 and before the branching into the branch outlets 61 and 62. The shape, size, position, and other aspects of the suction opening 91 can be determined by simulation or other means depending on the desired amount of spray.

[0043] An example of the protrusion 92 of the device 100 will be described with reference to FIGS. 16 and 17 . FIG. 17 shows a longitudinal cross section of the suction opening 91 and the protrusion 92 along the center line CL. Through repeated experiments, the inventors discovered that when the suction opening 91 is provided, the greater the flow rate, the more likely the wavy flow J is to backflow outward from the suction opening 91. To reduce backflow, it is desirable to direct the fluid away from the suction opening 91. Therefore, the device 100 of the embodiment has a protrusion 92 that protrudes into the fluid passage near the upstream side of the suction opening 91. In the example shown in FIG. 17 , the protrusion 92 is provided on the bottom 67 near the upstream side of the suction opening 91 and has a generally trapezoidal shape whose lateral width gradually increases from the upstream side to the downstream side in a plan view. In this example, the upper surface of the protrusion 92 includes an inclined surface 921 whose height from the bottom 67 gradually increases from the upstream side to the downstream side. The generally trapezoidal shape of the protrusion 92 and the inclined surface 921 can suppress an increase in flow path resistance. In order to reduce backflow, an overhang portion 922 that protrudes like an eave from the downstream side of the protrusion 92 may be provided above the suction opening 91 .

[0044] Another example of the arrangement of multiple confluent jetting sections will be described with reference to FIG. 18 . FIG. 18 is a plan view showing the arrangement of confluent jetting sections 8. In the above description, an example was shown in which the swing direction of each confluent jetting section 8 is the same. However, in order to obtain jets with various swing directions, the swing directions of each confluent jetting section 8 may be different from one another. In the example of FIG. 18 , the multiple confluent jetting sections 8 include multiple confluent jetting sections 8E, 8F, 8G, 8H, and 8J that eject jets that swing in different directions. Confluent jetting sections 8E and 8J eject jets that swing in the front-to-rear direction (arrows E and J), confluent jetting section 8G ejects jets that swing in the left-to-right direction (arrow G), and confluent jetting sections 8F and 8H eject jets that swing in directions inclined relative to the front-to-rear and left-to-right directions (arrows F and H).

[0045] An example of fluid ejection ports 93, 94 of device 100 will be described with reference to FIG. 19 . To provide a massage sensation different from that of a jet, it is conceivable to eject a pulsating flow, in which the ejection amount pulsates over time, in addition to an oscillating jet. Therefore, device 100 of this embodiment has fluid ejection ports 93, 94 that eject fluid into an open space downstream of the outlet of fluid oscillation element 10. In the example of FIG. 19 , the ejection ports 93, 94 are downward-facing openings provided in bottom 702 of transmission flow path main body 70 of transmission flow path 7, and communicate with internal spaces 7P, 7Q, respectively. The shape, size, position, etc. of the ejection ports 93, 94 can be determined by simulation or the like according to the desired ejection form of the pulsating flow.

[0046] Next, the features of the household equipment 100 of the embodiment will be described.

[0047] The housing equipment 100 includes a fluid oscillation element 10, a branch flow path 6 connected to the outlet 2 of the fluid oscillation element 10 and having a plurality of branch outlets 61, 62, a plurality of transmission flow paths 7 connected to the plurality of branch outlets 61, 62, respectively, and a plurality of confluent jetting units 8 having a plurality of jetting unit inlets 83, 84 connected to each of the flow path outlets 71, 72 of the plurality of transmission flow paths 7, and which confluently jet the fluid from the plurality of transmission flow paths 7 into an open space. The plurality of confluent jetting units 8 synchronously eject a plurality of jets whose flow rate and / or direction changes over time.

[0048] This configuration allows multiple jets to be ejected using a single fluid oscillation element 10, which is advantageous for miniaturization compared to using multiple fluid oscillation devices. Since no moving parts are included, the possibility of malfunction due to wear of the moving parts or the inclusion of dirt is reduced. When the device 100 is used for cleaning purposes, the synchronized multiple jets can widen the area that can be cleaned. When the device 100 is used for spraying onto the human body, the synchronized multiple jets can provide a pleasant massage feeling.

[0049] In the housing equipment 100, the sum of the cross-sectional areas of the most constricted portions of the fluid passages located downstream of the outlet 2 of the fluid oscillation element 10 is equal to or greater than the cross-sectional area of ​​the outlet of the fluid oscillation element. In this case, a jet with a desirable swing amplitude can be easily achieved.

[0050] In the housing equipment 100, the sum of the cross-sectional areas of the branch outlets 61, 62 is equal to or greater than the cross-sectional area of ​​the outlet 2 of the fluid oscillation element 10. In this case, a jet flow with a desirable swing amplitude can be easily achieved.

[0051] In the household equipment 100, the sum of the cross-sectional areas of the multiple jetting portion inlets 83, 84 is equal to or greater than the cross-sectional area of ​​the discharge port 2 of the fluid oscillation element 10. In this case, a jet having a desirable swing amplitude can be easily achieved.

[0052] In the housing equipment 100, the sum of the cross-sectional areas of the multiple transmission flow paths 7 is equal to or greater than the cross-sectional area of ​​the outlet 2 of the fluid oscillation element 10. In this case, a jet with a desirable swing amplitude can be easily achieved. By providing the transmission flow paths 7, the housing equipment 100 can increase the distance between the flow path outlets 71, 72 and the fluid oscillation element 10, allowing the housing equipment 100 to be installed without impairing the ease of use or aesthetics of the housing equipment 100.

[0053] The housing equipment 100 has a suction opening 91 that can suck in fluid from an open space downstream of the discharge port 2 of the fluid oscillation element 10. In this case, the amount of fluid sprayed from the junction spray unit 8 can be increased by sucking in fluid from the outside.

[0054] The household equipment 100 has a protrusion 92 that protrudes into the fluid passage near the upstream side of the suction opening 91. In this case, the fluid is directed away from the suction opening 91, and backflow from the suction opening 91 can be reduced.

[0055] In the housing equipment 100, the multiple confluence jetting units 8 include multiple jetting units 8E, 8F, 8G, 8H, and 8J that eject jets that oscillate in different directions. In this case, jets can be ejected in a variety of swing directions. By changing the direction of the jetting units, it is possible to eject jets that swing in any direction.

[0056] In the household equipment 100, the plurality of confluent jetting sections 8A, 8C include a plurality of jetting sections that jet out jets of opposite phases to each other. In this case, it is possible to jet out jets that swing in opposite directions to each other.

[0057] The household equipment 100 has fluid ejection ports 93 and 94 that eject fluid into an open space downstream of the discharge port of the fluid oscillation element 10. In this case, the fluid can be ejected from the ejection ports 93 and 94.

[0058] The above is a description of the embodiment.

[0059] The following describes modified examples. In the drawings and descriptions of the modified examples, the same or equivalent components and members as those in the embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals. Explanations that overlap with the embodiment will be omitted as appropriate, and the description will focus on the configurations that differ from the embodiment.

[0060] In the above description, an example in which the branch flow path 6 branches into two is shown, but this is not limiting. The branch flow path may branch the fluid into three or more paths. In this case, the internal space of the transmission flow path is divided into the same number of sections as the number of branches, and each branch flow is introduced into each section. In the confluence jetting section, the branch flows are merged from different directions, making it possible to spray a jet whose swing direction changes over time.

[0061] In the above description, an example in which the branch flow path 6 is bent at an angle of 90° has been shown, but the present invention is not limited to this. The branch flow path may not be bent, or may be bent at an angle other than 90°.

[0062] In the above description, an example in which the suction opening 91 and the protrusion 92 are provided on the bottom 67 of the branch flow path 6 has been shown, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the suction opening and the protrusion may be provided on the ceiling, side wall, etc. of the branch flow path.

[0063] In the above description, an example in which multiple confluence-injection sections 8 are arranged in a row has been shown, but this is not limiting. For example, multiple confluence-injection sections may be arranged in positions other than a row, such as a staggered arrangement.

[0064] In the above description, an example was shown in which the injection ports 93, 94 were provided on the bottom 702 of the transmission flow path main body 70, but this is not limiting. For example, the injection ports may be provided on the ceiling or sidewall of the transmission flow path main body.

[0065] In the above description, an example was shown in which the feedback path is a path that feeds back a portion of the main fluid M from the downstream portion 132 of the main path 13 to the upstream portion 131, but this is not limited to this. For example, the feedback path may be a path that feeds back a portion of the fluid from the downstream portion of the branch flow path to the vicinity of the discharge port 2. As long as the discharge port 2 flows a wavy flow, the presence or absence of a feedback flow path and its connection position are not limited. The configuration of the fluid oscillation element is not limited to the example of the embodiment, and may have any configuration that can function as a fluid oscillation element based on known principles. The fluid oscillation element is not limited to the example of the embodiment, and any configuration that can function as a fluid oscillation element based on known principles can be used.

[0066] Any combination of the above components is also valid as an aspect of the technical idea that abstracts the embodiment and the modified examples. For example, any description of another embodiment may be combined with the embodiment, or any description of an embodiment and another modified example may be combined with the modified example.

[0067] The above describes the embodiments and modifications. When understanding the abstract technical concepts of the embodiments and modifications, the technical concepts should not be interpreted as being limited to the contents of the embodiments and modifications. The above-described embodiments and modifications are merely illustrative examples, and many design modifications, such as changes, additions, and deletions of components, are possible. In the embodiments, the content in which such design modifications are possible is emphasized by adding the notation "embodiment." However, design modifications are also permitted even in content without such notation. Hatching on cross sections in the drawings does not limit the material of the hatched object. [Explanation of symbols]

[0068] 2 Discharge port, 5 Flow path main body, 6 Branch flow path, 7 Transmission flow path, 8 Confluence injection section, 10 Fluid oscillation element, 61, 62 Branch outlets, 71, 72 Flow path outlets, 73, 74 Transmission inlets, 81 Injection port, 83, 84 Injection section inlets, 91 Intake opening, 92 Protrusion, 93, 94 Fluid injection port, 100 Housing equipment.

Claims

1. a fluid oscillation element; a branch flow path connected to the discharge port of the fluid oscillation element and having a plurality of branch outlets; a plurality of transmission flow paths respectively connected to the plurality of branch outlets; a plurality of confluence injectors having a plurality of injector inlets connected to the respective flow path outlets of the plurality of transmission flow paths, and confluence the fluids from the plurality of transmission flow paths and inject them into an open space; Equipped with The plurality of confluence jetting sections synchronously eject a plurality of jets, at least one of a flow rate and a traveling direction of which changes over time. Housing equipment.

2. 2. The housing equipment according to claim 1, wherein the sum of the cross-sectional areas of the most constricted portions of the fluid passages located downstream of the discharge port of the fluid oscillation element is equal to or greater than the cross-sectional area of ​​the discharge port of the fluid oscillation element.

3. The household equipment according to claim 1 or 2, wherein a sum of cross-sectional areas of the branch outlets is equal to or greater than a cross-sectional area of ​​a discharge port of the fluid oscillation element.

4. The household equipment according to claim 1 , wherein a sum of cross-sectional areas of the plurality of jetting portion inlets is equal to or greater than a cross-sectional area of ​​the discharge port of the fluid oscillation element.

5. The household equipment according to claim 1 , wherein a sum of the cross-sectional areas of the plurality of transmission flow paths is equal to or greater than a cross-sectional area of ​​the discharge port of the fluid oscillation element.

6. The household equipment according to claim 1 , further comprising a suction opening downstream of the discharge port of the fluid oscillation element, the suction opening being capable of drawing in fluid from an open space.

7. The household equipment according to claim 6, further comprising a protrusion protruding into the fluid passage near the upstream side of the suction opening.

8. The household equipment according to claim 1 , wherein the plurality of confluent jetting portions include jetting portions that discharge jets that oscillate in mutually different directions.

9. The household equipment according to claim 1 , wherein the plurality of confluent jetting portions include jetting portions that jet flows in opposite phases to each other.

10. The household equipment according to claim 1 , further comprising a fluid ejection port downstream of the discharge port of the fluid oscillation element for ejecting the fluid into an open space.

Images