Microbubble generator

Abstract

To provide a fine bubble generator having a simple structure and being easily attachable.SOLUTION: A fine bubble generator is made of a flow channel member 2 and an upstream side joint member 3 and a downstream side joint member 4 having an attachment part 13 and an attachment part 17 attachable with an elastic tube. A flow channel 5 in which water flows is formed at the insides of the flow channel member 2, the upstream side joint member 3, and the downstream side joint member 4. The flow channel member 2 has a contraction part 7 in which a cross-sectional area is contracted from the upstream side of the flow channel 5 toward a downstream side, an enlarged part 8 in which a cross-sectional area is enlarged from the upstream side of the flow channel 5 toward a downstream side, and a fine flow channel part 9 formed between the contraction part 7 and the enlarged part 8.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a fine bubble generator capable of generating fine bubbles in a liquid.

Background Art

[0002] As this type of fine bubble generator, for example, Patent Document 1 discloses a faucet microbubble generator incorporated into a faucet of a water supply. The faucet of the water supply is composed of a faucet body, a spout, a swivel pipe, a nut, a U-packing, and a ring, and the faucet microbubble generator includes an insert having a flow path through which water discharged from the faucet of the water supply can pass. And this flow path has a first flow path whose cross-sectional area decreases from the upstream side where the liquid flows to the downstream side, a third flow path whose cross-sectional area increases from the upstream side to the downstream side, and a second flow path connecting the first flow path and the third flow path. Here, when incorporating the faucet microbubble generator into the faucet of the water supply, the swivel pipe, the nut, the U-packing, and the ring are temporarily removed from the spout attached to the faucet body, the U-packing and the ring are attached to the swivel pipe, the faucet microbubble generator is housed in this swivel pipe, and the swivel pipe is attached to the spout again, thereby incorporating the faucet microbubble generator into the faucet of the water supply.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] In Patent Document 1, water discharged from a water tap flows through a channel inside an insert, and a microbubble generator for taps equipped with this insert is built into the water tap to fix it in place. In this microbubble generator, the microbubble generator for taps is built into the water tap to withstand the water pressure of approximately 0.1 MPa, which is the typical water supply pressure of tap water, and to fix it in place, and has a robust connection between the microbubble generator for taps and the water tap. However, the microbubble generator in Patent Document 1 has the problem that it is not easy to install the microbubble generator on a water tap because it is necessary to remove and reattach parts of the water tap, which requires tools and knowledge of how to remove and reattach the parts. In addition, there is the problem that the structure becomes complicated in order to incorporate the microbubble generator into the water tap.

[0005] Therefore, the present invention aims to provide a microbubble generator with a simple structure that can be easily installed. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] The microbubble generator of the present invention comprises a bubble generating body and a tubular body having a mounting portion to which a tube connectable to a component from which a liquid is discharged can be attached. A flow channel through which liquid flows is formed inside the bubble generating body and the tubular body. The bubble generating body has a reducing section in which the cross-sectional area decreases from the upstream side to the downstream side of the flow channel, an expanding section in which the cross-sectional area increases from the upstream side to the downstream side, and a narrow channel section formed between the reducing section and the expanding section. The microbubbles are generated from gas dissolved in the liquid. The bubble generator is directly connected to the pump that discharges the liquid. It is characterized by the following. [Effects of the Invention]

[0007] According to the present invention, a microbubble generator with a simple structure that can be easily installed can be provided. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0008] [Figure 1](A) A plan view of the main body as seen from the downstream side, showing a microbubble generator representing a first embodiment of the present invention, where the flow channel member, upstream joint member, and downstream joint member are formed as separate parts, and (B) a cross-sectional view of CC in Figure 1(A). [Figure 2] (A) A plan view of the main body as seen from the downstream side when the flow channel member, upstream joint member and downstream joint member are integrally formed, and (B) A cross-sectional view of CC in Figure 2(A). [Figure 3] This is a cross-sectional view of the main body of a microbubble generator, which is a second embodiment of the present invention, when the flow channel member, upstream joint member, and downstream joint member are formed as separate parts. [Figure 4] The same as above, this is a cross-sectional view of the main body when the flow channel member, upstream joint member, and downstream joint member are formed as separate parts. [Figure 5] The same as above, this is a cross-sectional view of the main body when the flow channel member, upstream joint member, and downstream joint member are integrally formed. [Figure 6] The same as above, (A) a side view of the plate member, (B) a top view of the plate member, and (C) a cross-sectional view of DD in Figure 6(B). [Figure 7] This is a partial cross-sectional view of a microbubble generator showing a third embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 8] This is a partial cross-sectional view of a microbubble generator showing a modified example of the third embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 9] This is a partial cross-sectional view of a microbubble generator showing a further modification of the third embodiment of the present invention. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0009] Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the microbubble generator according to the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. Common reference numerals will be used for common parts throughout these drawings.

[0010] Figures 1 and 2 show the configuration of a microbubble generator according to the first embodiment of the present invention. Based on these figures, 1 is the main body of the microbubble generator, and the main body 1 is generally composed of a flow channel member 2, an upstream joint member 3, and a downstream joint member 4. A flow channel 5 is formed inside these flow channel member 2, upstream joint member 3, and downstream joint member 4 through which water as a liquid flows. The outer shape of the main body 1 in this embodiment is formed to be substantially cylindrical, and therefore the outer shapes of the flow channel member 2, upstream joint member 3, and downstream joint member 4 are also formed to be substantially cylindrical. They are arranged and connected coaxially from upstream to downstream of the flow channel 5 in the order of upstream joint member 3, flow channel member 2, and downstream joint member 4, but the present invention is not limited to this.

[0011] In this embodiment, as shown in Figure 1, the flow path member 2, the upstream joint member 3, and the downstream joint member 4 may be formed as separate parts. Furthermore, if the diameter of the hollow portion 11 in the mounting portion 13 of the upstream joint member 3 (described later) is larger than the diameter of the entrance to the narrowed portion 7, which is the diameter of the entrance to the hollow portion 6 of the flow path member 2 (described later), the flow path member 2 and the upstream joint member 3 may be formed as a single unit. Similarly, if the diameter of the hollow portion 21 in the mounting portion 17 of the downstream joint member 4 (described later) is larger than the diameter of the entrance to the widened portion 8, which is the diameter of the exit to the hollow portion 6 of the flow path member 2 (described later), the flow path member 2 and the downstream joint member 4 may be formed as a single unit. Here, Figure 2 shows a configuration in which the flow path member 2, the upstream joint member 3, and the downstream joint member 4 are formed as a single unit.

[0012] In this embodiment, the flow channel member 2, the upstream joint member 3, and the downstream joint member 4 are made of metal or resin material. These flow channel members 2, upstream joint member 3, and downstream joint member 4 may all be made of the same material, or they may be made of different materials. In the case where the flow channel member 2, upstream joint member 3, and downstream joint member 4 are formed as separate parts, as shown in the main body 1 of Figure 1, the joining method employed is one that prevents liquid from leaking out of the flow channel 5 at the joining location. For example, if these members are made of metallic materials, they may be joined by welding or diffusion bonding. Alternatively, if these members are made of resin materials, they may be joined by vibration welding, ultrasonic welding, adhesive bonding, or a combination thereof.

[0013] The flow channel member 2 has a hollow section 6 inside which becomes part of the flow channel 5. By flowing a liquid such as water through this hollow section 6, microbubbles and ultrafine bubbles are generated from the gas dissolved in the liquid. Therefore, the flow channel member 2 functions as a bubble generator that generates microbubbles. In this specification, in addition to the general classification by bubble diameter, microbubbles with a diameter of 1 μm to 100 μm are referred to as microbubbles, and microbubbles with a diameter of several tens of nanometers to less than 1 μm are referred to as ultrafine bubbles.

[0014] The hollow section 6 is generally composed of a narrowing section 7, an expanding section 8, and a narrow channel section 9. The narrowing section 7 smoothly guides the liquid flowing in from the inlet of the hollow section 6 to the narrow channel section 9. In order to smoothly guide the liquid to the narrow channel section 9, the narrowing section 7 is preferably formed so that its cross-sectional area gradually decreases from the upstream side to the downstream side of the channel 5. In this embodiment, the narrowing section 7 is formed in a substantially inverted cone shape, but the present invention is not limited thereto.

[0015] The enlarging portion 8 generates fine bubbles from the gas dissolved in the liquid. When the liquid flowing into the enlarging portion 8 from the narrow channel portion 9 flows toward the downstream side of the flow path 5, the periphery of this liquid is depressurized to a negative pressure, so that the gas dissolved in this liquid becomes fine bubbles by cavitation, and fine bubbles are generated in the liquid. In order to facilitate this phenomenon, the enlarging portion 8 is preferably formed such that the cross-sectional area gradually increases from the upstream side to the downstream side of the flow path 5. In this embodiment, the enlarging portion 8 is formed in a substantially conical shape, but the present invention is not limited to this, and it is only necessary that the cross-sectional area increases from the upstream side to the downstream side of the flow path 5. Further, the shape of the enlarging portion 8 and the degree of increase in the cross-sectional area of the flow path 5 may be adjusted according to the amount of bubble generation and the bubble diameter at the time of generating the fine bubbles.

[0016] The narrow channel portion 9 is formed between the narrowing portion 7 and the enlarging portion 8 and fluidly connects these narrowing portion 7 and enlarging portion 8. In this embodiment, the narrow channel portion 9 is formed in a cylindrical shape, but the present invention is not limited to this. The flow velocity of the liquid in the narrow channel portion 9 is determined by the pressure of the flow path 5 upstream of the narrow channel portion 9. When the pressure of the upstream flow path 5 is the same, the flow velocity of the liquid in the narrow channel portion 9 is determined by the diameter of the narrow channel portion 9. Since the amount of bubble generation and the bubble diameter at the time of generating fine bubbles are also related to the flow velocity of the liquid discharged from the narrow channel portion 9, the diameter of the narrow channel portion 9 may be adjusted and changed according to the amount of bubble generation and the bubble diameter at the time of generating fine bubbles.

[0017] The upstream joint member 3 has a hollow section 11 inside which becomes part of the flow path 5, and guides the liquid flowing into the hollow section 11 from the elastic pipe (not shown) connected to the upstream joint member 3 to the hollow section 6 of the flow path member 2. The upstream joint member 3 has a joint body 12 and a mounting section 13, and in Figure 1, the upstream joint member 3 is connected to the flow path member 2 by joining the downstream edge of the joint body 12 to the upstream edge of the flow path member 2. In this embodiment, both the joint body 12 and the mounting section 13 are formed in a cylindrical shape, and the mounting section 13 is provided coaxially with the joint body 12 so that the mounting section 13 protrudes from the joint body 12. Therefore, the upstream joint member 3 is formed in a tubular shape and has the function of a pipe.

[0018] The mounting portion 13 allows an elastic pipe, such as a hose, to be attached to the main body 1. The end of the elastic pipe is inserted and held in this mounting portion 13, thereby attaching the elastic pipe to the upstream joint member 3. A flange portion 14 is provided on the outer circumferential surface of the mounting portion 13 to prevent the elastic pipe from coming loose. In this embodiment, the flange portion 14 is provided on the outer circumferential surface of the upstream edge of the mounting portion 13 and consists of an annular projection 14a with a substantially constant outer diameter and a V-shaped projection 14b provided consecutively to the annular projection 14a, with an outer diameter that widens in the direction of the joint body 12, like a hose nipple. The upstream corner of the annular projection 14a, which is the insertion side of the elastic pipe, is rounded to facilitate insertion of the elastic pipe, while the downstream corner of the annular projection 14a is processed to be approximately 90° or less to make it difficult for the inserted elastic pipe to come loose. The V-shaped projection 14b is also formed like a hose nipple, thus facilitating insertion of the elastic pipe while making it difficult for the inserted elastic pipe to come loose. Therefore, the flange portion 14, consisting of the annular projection 14a and the V-shaped projection 14b, functions as a retaining portion to prevent the elastic tube from coming out of the mounting portion 13. In this embodiment, multiple annular projections 14a and V-shaped projections 14b are provided on the outer circumferential surface of the mounting portion 13, and these annular projections 14a and V-shaped projections 14b are provided continuously in the axial direction of the mounting portion 13. However, the axial length and outer diameter of the mounting portion 13, as well as the number, shape, and position of the flange portions 14, may be adjusted and changed depending on the type and inner diameter of the elastic tube used, the pressure of the liquid flowing into the flow path 5, etc.

[0019] The joint body 12 guides the liquid flowing in from the mounting portion 13 in the hollow portion 11 to the hollow portion 6 of the flow path member 2. In the present embodiment, the hollow portion 11 in the mounting portion 13 is formed in a cylindrical shape, and the diameter of the outlet of the hollow portion 11 in the joint body 12 is formed slightly larger than the diameter of the inlet of the hollow portion 6. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and it is sufficient that the liquid flowing in from the mounting portion 13 can be smoothly guided to the hollow portion 6.

[0020] Here, as in the main body 1 of FIG. 1, when the outer diameter of the mounting portion 13 is smaller than the outer diameter of the joint body 12, a transition portion 15 that transitions from the downstream edge portion of the mounting portion 13 to the upstream edge portion of the joint body 12 is formed. Here, usually, since the outer diameter of the mounting portion 13 is made in accordance with the inner diameter of the elastic tube to be used, when the end portion of the elastic tube is inserted until it abuts against the transition portion 15, it cannot be inserted deeper than this transition portion 15. Therefore, the transition portion 15 at this time has a function as a positioning portion that indicates a guide for the insertion position of the end portion of the elastic tube.

[0021] Also, as in the main body 1 of FIG. 2, when the outer diameter of the joint body 12 and the outer diameter of the mounting portion 13 are substantially the same, the transition portion 15 is not formed between the joint body 12 and the mounting portion 13. Alternatively, when the outer diameter of the mounting portion 13 is larger than the outer diameter of the joint body 12, even if the transition portion 15 is formed, the end portion of the elastic tube can be inserted deeper than the transition portion 15, so the transition portion 15 does not function as a positioning portion. Thus, for example, when the outer diameter of the joint body 12 is greater than or equal to the outer diameter of the mounting portion 13, it may be configured to provide a substantially annular flange portion 16 on the outer peripheral surface of the downstream edge portion of the mounting portion 13 as shown in FIG. 2. In this case, when the end portion of the elastic tube is inserted until it abuts against the flange portion 16, it cannot be inserted deeper than this flange portion 16, so the flange portion 16 has a function as a positioning portion that indicates a guide for the insertion position of the end portion of the elastic tube.

[0022] The downstream joint member 4 has a hollow section 21 inside which becomes part of the flow path 5, and guides the liquid flowing in from the enlarged section 8 of the flow path member 2 to an elastic pipe (not shown) connected to the downstream joint member 4. The downstream joint member 4, like the upstream joint member 3, has a joint body 17 and a mounting section 18. In Figure 1, the body 1 is connected to the flow path member 2 by joining the upstream edge of the joint body 17 to the downstream edge of the flow path member 2. In Figure 2, the body 1 is formed in a way that the flow path member 2 and the downstream joint member 4 are integrally formed. Therefore, the downstream joint member 4 is formed in a tubular shape and functions as a pipe.

[0023] The mounting portion 17 allows an elastic pipe, such as a hose, to be attached to the main body 1 and has the same function as the mounting portion 13. The joint body 17 also guides the liquid flowing in from the hollow portion 6 of the flow path member 2 to the mounting portion 17 in the hollow portion 21. In this embodiment, the upstream joint member 3 and the downstream joint member 4 have a common shape, and the downstream joint member 4 is also provided with a flange portion 14 on the outer circumferential surface of the mounting portion 17 to prevent the elastic pipe from coming off. In addition, in the main body 1 of Figure 1, a transition portion 15 is formed on the downstream joint member 4, and in the main body 1 of Figure 2, a substantially annular flange portion 16 is provided on the outer circumferential surface of the upstream edge of the mounting portion 17. The upstream joint member 3 and the downstream joint member 4 may have different shapes.

[0024] As described above, the main body 1 of the microbubble generator of this embodiment comprises a flow channel member 2 as a bubble generating body, and an upstream joint member 3 and a downstream joint member 4 as tubular bodies having attachment parts 13 and 17 to which elastic tubes can be attached. A flow channel 5 through which liquid water flows is formed inside the flow channel member 2, the upstream joint member 3, and the downstream joint member 4. The flow channel member 2 has a reducing section 7 in which the cross-sectional area decreases from the upstream side to the downstream side of the flow channel 5, an expanding section 8 in which the cross-sectional area increases from the upstream side to the downstream side of the flow channel 5, and a narrow flow channel section 9 formed between the reducing section 7 and the expanding section 8.

[0025] By configuring it in this way, an elastic tube such as a hose can be attached to the attachment part 13, and this elastic tube can be connected to a component from which liquid is discharged, such as a water tap, thus providing a microbubble generator with a simple structure that can be easily installed.

[0026] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the main body 1 may be formed integrally with the flow channel member 2, the upstream joint member 3, and the downstream joint member 4, thereby reducing the number of parts and eliminating the effort required to join these parts together.

[0027] Furthermore, the upstream joint member 3 and the downstream joint member 4 of this embodiment are arranged on the upstream and downstream sides of the flow channel member 2, respectively. Therefore, elastic tubes can be attached to the upstream and downstream sides of the main body 1, providing a microbubble generator with a simple structure that can be easily installed.

[0028] Furthermore, in this embodiment, flanges 14 are formed on the mounting portion 13 of the upstream joint member 3 and the mounting portion 17 of the downstream joint member 4, which serve as retaining portions for the elastic pipe. This makes it difficult for the elastic pipe inserted into the mounting portion 13 or mounting portion 17 to come loose.

[0029] Figures 3 to 6 show the configuration of a microbubble generator according to a second embodiment of the present invention. In this embodiment, a plate member 25 is arranged upstream of the flow channel member 2, and an eccentric elongated hole 27 is provided in this plate member to swirl the liquid flowing in from the hollow section 11 and direct it into the shrinking section 7.

[0030] Based on Figures 3 to 5, the main body 1' of the microbubble generator of this embodiment differs from the first embodiment in that a plate member 25 is provided between the hollow portion 6 of the flow channel member 2 and the hollow portion 11 of the upstream joint member 3. This plate member 25 is formed in a substantially circular disc shape and is made of metal or resin material. The plate member 25 may be made of the same material as the flow channel member 2, the upstream joint member 3, or the downstream joint member 4, or it may be made of a different material.

[0031] When the plate member 25 is attached to a main body 1' in which the flow channel member 2, upstream joint member 3, and downstream joint member 4 are formed as separate parts, the outer diameter of the plate member 25 may be made approximately the same as the outer diameter of the flow channel member 2 and the upstream joint member 3, as shown in Figure 3, and the plate member 25 may be joined to the upstream end of the flow channel member 2 and the downstream end of the upstream joint member 3, so that it is sandwiched and attached between the flow channel member 2 and the upstream joint member 3. Alternatively, as shown in Figure 4, the outer diameter of the plate member 25 may be made smaller than the outer diameter of the upstream side of the flow channel member 2, a space for accommodating the plate member 25 may be provided at the upstream end of the flow channel member 2, the plate member 25 may be joined to this space, and then the flow channel member 2 and the upstream joint member 3 may be joined. Furthermore, a space for accommodating the plate member 25 may be provided at the downstream end of the upstream joint member 3.

[0032] On the other hand, when the plate member 25 is attached to the main body 1' in which the flow channel member 2 and the upstream joint member 3 are integrally formed, as shown in Figure 5, the outer diameter of the plate member 25 may be formed to be approximately the same as the outer diameter of the hollow portion 11 in the upstream joint member 3, and the plate member 25 may be inserted from the upstream end of the mounting portion 13 of the upstream joint member 3 to join the plate member 25 to the upstream side of the flow channel member 2.

[0033] Figure 6 shows a side view, top view, and cross-sectional view of the plate member 25. The plate member 25 is formed by providing multiple eccentric elongated holes 27 along the outer circumference of a substantially disc-shaped plate member body 26. These eccentric elongated holes 27 are through holes provided that penetrate the plate member body 26, and the opening positions of the eccentric elongated holes 27 are offset in the substantially circumferential direction of the plate member body 26 on the upstream surface 26A and the downstream surface 26B of the plate member body 26. As a result, the flow of liquid passing through the eccentric elongated holes 27 is made spiral-shaped, creating a swirling flow, and the flow velocity is increased, thereby increasing the negative pressure region generated when the liquid flowing from the narrow channel section 9 to the widened section 8 flows toward the downstream side of the channel 5. As a result, the diameter of the microbubbles generated in the liquid can be made even finer, and the amount of bubbles generated during microbubble generation can be increased. Furthermore, it is preferable that the amount by which the opening position of each eccentric elongated hole 27 is shifted is approximately the same for each eccentric elongated hole 27, and therefore it is preferable that the shape of each eccentric elongated hole 27 is approximately the same for each eccentric elongated hole 27. Also, as shown in Figures 3 to 5, it is preferable that the eccentric elongated holes 27 are provided such that the position of the opening of each eccentric elongated hole 27 on the downstream surface 26B is near the outer diameter on the upstream side of the reduced portion 7. In this embodiment, four elongated eccentric elongated holes 27 are provided, but the shape and number of eccentric elongated holes 27 may be adjusted and changed depending on the amount and diameter of bubbles generated during microbubble generation.

[0034] The plate member 25 is preferably formed by a mold, and this mold is preferably of a split type, with molds for forming the eccentric elongated hole 27 formed in each of the upper and lower sections of the split mold. Since the eccentric elongated hole 27 in this embodiment is an elongated hole, it is easy to provide molds for forming the eccentric elongated hole 27 in each of the upper and lower sections of the mold. Here, it is preferable to provide substantially flat contact surfaces in the molds for forming the eccentric elongated hole 27 of the upper and lower sections so that these molds come into contact with each other, thereby avoiding the formation of undercuts during the molding of the eccentric elongated hole 27.

[0035] As described above, the main body 1' of the microbubble generator of this embodiment further includes a plate member 25 as a restricting plate that restricts the flow of liquid. The plate member 25 is positioned upstream of the flow channel member 2, and an eccentric elongated hole 27 is formed in the plate member 25 as a passage hole through which the liquid passes. The upstream and downstream openings of the eccentric elongated hole 27 are offset from each other. As a result, the liquid flow velocity can be increased with a simple and highly manufacturable plate member 25, and the liquid can be made spirally flow into the reduction section 7. This makes it possible to make the bubble diameter of the microbubbles generated in the liquid even finer and to increase the amount of bubbles generated during microbubble generation.

[0036] Figure 7 shows a partial cross-sectional view of a microbubble generator according to a third embodiment of the present invention. In Figure 7, only the elastic tube 34 is shown in a cross-sectional view, while the other parts of the microbubble generator are shown in a side view. In this embodiment, the microbubble generator is configured by connecting the flow path member 2 to a pump 31 that discharges liquid.

[0037] Based on Figure 7, the microbubble generator of this embodiment is described as follows: 31 is a pump that discharges liquid, and has a pump body 32 and a pump outlet 33. The pump body 32 is composed of, for example, a centrifugal pump or a diaphragm pump, but may be composed of other types of pumps and is not particularly limited. The pump outlet 33, like the mounting part 13 and mounting part 17, allows an elastic tube 34 such as a hose to be attached to the pump 31. The pump outlet 33 is formed in a tubular shape and guides the liquid flowing in from the pump body 32 to the elastic tube 34 connected to the pump outlet 33. Therefore, the axial length and outer diameter of the pump outlet 33 are adjusted according to the type and inner diameter of the elastic tube 34 used, the pressure of the liquid discharged from the pump outlet 33, etc. A flange portion to prevent the elastic tube 34 from coming off may be provided on the outer surface of the pump outlet 33.

[0038] In this embodiment, the pump discharge port 33 of the pump 31 is inserted and connected to one end of the elastic tube 34, and the mounting portion 13 of the upstream joint member 3 of the main body 1 is inserted and connected to the other end of the elastic tube 34. When liquid is discharged from the pump discharge port 33 by the pump body 32, this liquid flows into the flow path 5 via the elastic tube 34, and fine bubbles are generated from the gas dissolved in this liquid by the hollow portion 6 of the flow path member 2. In this embodiment, for example, when water with a water pressure of 35 kPa is discharged from the pump discharge port 33, the microbubble generator is configured so that the bubble diameter of the fine bubbles is about 1 μm, but this is just one example. Subsequently, the liquid containing the fine bubbles is guided through the hollow portion 21 to an elastic tube (not shown) connected to the mounting portion 13 of the downstream joint member 4. With this configuration, a microbubble generator that is easy to connect can be provided, and this microbubble generator can be applied to various cleaning applications.

[0039] As described above, the microbubble generator of this embodiment is configured such that a pump 31 for discharging liquid can be connected to an elastic tube 34 connected to the mounting portion 13 of the upstream joint member 3 of the main body 1. Therefore, a microbubble generator that is easy to connect can be provided, and this microbubble generator can be applied to various cleaning applications.

[0040] Figure 8 shows a partial cross-sectional view of a modified example of the third embodiment of the present invention. In Figure 8, the flow path member 2, the downstream joint member 4, and a portion of the pump body 32 are shown in cross-sectional views, while other parts of the microbubble generator are shown in side views. In this modified example, the flow path member 2 is directly connected to the pump 31 that discharges the liquid.

[0041] Based on Figure 8, the microbubble generator of this modified example is described as follows: instead of the pump discharge port 33, the flow channel member 2 is directly connected to the pump body 32, and the liquid from the pump body 32 flows into the hollow portion 6 of the flow channel member 2. In this modified example, the microbubble generator may be configured such that the flow channel member 2 and the downstream joint member 4 are formed as separate parts, as shown in Figure 8(A), or the flow channel member 2 and the downstream joint member 4 are formed as a single unit, as shown in Figure 8(B). With such a configuration, a microbubble generator that is easy to connect can be provided with a simple structure, and this microbubble generator can be applied to various cleaning applications.

[0042] As described above, the microbubble generator of this modified example has a configuration in which the flow path member 2 is directly connected to the pump body 32, which acts as a pump for discharging liquid. Therefore, a microbubble generator with a simple configuration that is easy to connect can be provided, and this microbubble generator can be applied to various cleaning applications.

[0043] Figure 9 shows a partial cross-sectional view of a further modification of the third embodiment of the present invention. In Figure 8, the flow channel member 2, the plate member 25, the downstream joint member 4, and a part of the pump body 32 are shown in cross-sectional views, and the other parts of the microbubble generator are shown in side views. In this modification, the flow channel member 2 is directly connected to the pump 31 that discharges liquid, and the plate member 25 is arranged upstream of the flow channel member 2.

[0044] Based on Figure 9, the microbubble generator of this modified example is described as follows: Instead of the pump discharge port 33, a flow channel member 2 is directly connected to the pump body 32, and a plate member 25 is joined to the upstream side of the flow channel member 2. Liquid from the pump body 32 passes through the eccentric elongated hole 27 of the plate member 25, causing the liquid flow to spiral and create a swirling flow, increasing the flow velocity and causing it to flow into the narrowing section 7. As a result, the bubble diameter of the microbubbles generated in the liquid can be made even finer, and the amount of bubbles generated during microbubble generation can be increased. In this modified example, for example, if water with a water pressure of 35 kPa is discharged from the pump discharge port 33 and the hole diameter of the eccentric elongated hole 27 is less than 1 mm, the microbubble generator is configured to produce ultrafine bubbles with a bubble diameter of about 0.1 μm and an amount of several hundred million bubbles per 1 cc, but this is just one example. By configuring it in this way, the diameter of the microbubbles generated in the liquid can be made even finer, and the amount of bubbles generated during microbubble formation can be increased.

[0045] In this modified example, the microbubble generator may be configured such that the flow channel member 2 and the downstream joint member 4 are formed as separate parts, as shown in Figure 9(A), or as shown in Figure 9(B), the flow channel member 2 and the downstream joint member 4 are formed as a single unit. In this modified example, as shown in the main body 1' of Figures 4 and 5, the outer diameter of the plate member 25 is made smaller than the outer diameter of the upstream side of the flow channel member 2, and a space for housing the plate member 25 is provided at the upstream end of the flow channel member 2, and the plate member 25 is joined to this space. However, as shown in the main body 1' of Figure 3, the outer diameter of the plate member 25 may be formed to be approximately the same as the outer diameter of the flow channel member 2, and the plate member 25 may be joined to the upstream end of the flow channel member 2 and the pump body 32, so that it is sandwiched and installed between the flow channel member 2 and the pump body 32.

[0046] As described above, the microbubble generator of this embodiment further includes a plate member 25 as a restricting plate to restrict the flow of liquid, the plate member 25 is arranged on the upstream side of the flow channel member 2, and an eccentric elongated hole 27 through which the liquid passes is formed in the plate member 25, with the upstream and downstream openings of the eccentric elongated hole 27 being offset from each other. As a result, the liquid flow velocity can be increased with a simple and highly manufacturable plate member 25, and the liquid can be made spirally flow into the reduction section 7, making the bubble diameter of the microbubbles generated in the liquid even finer and increasing the amount of bubbles generated during microbubble generation.

[0047] It should be noted that the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above, and various modifications are possible without departing from the spirit of the invention. For example, the first to third embodiments and their variations may be combined. Furthermore, the configuration and shape of each part of this embodiment are not limited to those shown in the figures and can be modified as appropriate. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0048] 2. Flow channel component (bubble generator) 3. Upstream joint member (pipe) 5 channels 7 Reduction section 8. Enlarged section 9 Narrow channel section 13 Mounting part 14. Guard portion (retaining portion) ) 2 5. Plate members (regulatory plates) 27 Eccentric long hole (passing hole) 31 pumps 34 Elastic tube (tube)

Claims

1. Bubble-generating body and A tubular body having a mounting portion to which a pipe that can be connected to a component from which liquid is discharged can be attached, A flow channel for liquid is formed inside the bubble generator and the tube. The bubble generator has a reducing section in which the cross-sectional area decreases from the upstream side to the downstream side of the flow path, an expanding section in which the cross-sectional area increases from the upstream side to the downstream side, and a narrow channel section formed between the reducing section and the expanding section. Fine bubbles are generated from the gas dissolved in the aforementioned liquid. A microbubble generator characterized in that the bubble generating element is directly connected to a pump that discharges the liquid.

2. The microbubble generator according to claim 1, characterized in that the aforementioned narrow channel section is cylindrical.

3. The microbubble generator according to claim 1, characterized in that the bubble generating body and the tube body are formed integrally.

4. The microbubble generator according to claim 1, characterized in that the tubular body is disposed on the upstream side of the bubble generator.

5. The microbubble generator according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that a pipe retention portion is formed in the mounting portion.

6. The system further includes a restricting plate for restricting the flow of the aforementioned liquid, The regulating plate is disposed on the upstream side of the bubble generator, The regulating plate has through holes through which the liquid passes. A microbubble generator according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the positions of the upstream opening and the downstream opening of the through hole are offset.

7. Multiple through holes are provided as elongated holes along the outer circumference of the regulating plate, and the amount by which the position of the opening is shifted is substantially the same for each of the through holes. The microbubble generator according to claim 6, characterized in that the reduced portion is formed in a substantially inverted cone shape.

Images