JP2001179241A - Fine air bubble generator - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To efficiently dissolve air in a liquid without using an expensive circulating pump in a fine air bubble generator to enhance operation efficiency. SOLUTION: Bathtub water is taken out of a bathtub by a circulating pump 22 to be allowed to flow through a circulating passage 21 and air is dissolved in bathtub water in a gas-liquid mixing tank 23 to reflux bathtub water to the bathtub. Since the bathtub water pressurized by the circulating pump 22 is forcibly intoruduced into the gas-liquid mixing tank 23, air is mixed with the water stored in the gas-liquid mixing tank 23 by bathtub water and the bathtub is stirred to dissolve a large amount of air in the bathtub water. In order to supply air into the gas-liquid mixing tank 23 when air in the tank 23 is reduced, the solenoid valve of the air inlet of a Venturi is appropriately opened to introduce air and it is unnecessary to stop operation in order to introduce air.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a method for removing liquid in a storage tank, for example, a bathtub, a pool, a pond, or the like, dissolving air in the liquid, and then returning the liquid to the storage tank. The present invention relates to a micro-bubble generator for generating micro-bubbles by using the method.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, the above-mentioned micro-bubble generator has been used for purification of suspended matter in water by utilizing a floating action of adhesion of micro-bubbles, and also generates micro-bubbles in a bath tub to milk the bath tub water. It is used to enhance the feeling of taking a bath in a bathtub.

FIG. 12 shows the configuration of a conventional microbubble generator. In the figure, reference numeral 80 denotes a fine bubble generator, and 90 denotes a bathtub. The microbubble generator 80 connects a circulation path 81 to a bath water outlet 91 and a return port 92 provided in a bathtub 90, and arranges a circulation pump 82 in the middle of the circulation path 81. The configuration is such that a venturi 83 is disposed upstream of the position of the circulation pump 82, and an ejection nozzle 84 is disposed at a connection portion of the circulation passage 81 with the return port 92.

The venturi 83 is generally known, but the inside of the venturi 83 is brought into a negative pressure state with the passage of the bathtub water, and the outside air at atmospheric pressure is supplied to the air introduction pipe 85.
It comes to be inhaled from. The amount of air suctioned by the venturi 83 is adjusted by the passage speed of bathtub water and the opening of a motor-operated valve 86 provided at the end of the air introduction pipe 85.

Here, the operation of the fine bubble generating device 80 will be described. That is, the bathtub 90 is operated by the circulation pump 82.
Take out the bathtub water inside, and put the Venturi 8 in the bathtub water.
3 mixes the outside air to dissolve the air in the bathtub water by the pressure of the circulation pump 82, and then ejects the air into the bathtub 90 through the ejection nozzle 84 to return it to the inside of the bathtub 90. Bubbles 100 are generated. That is, when the bath water mixed with the air by the venturi 83 is pressurized by the circulation pump 82 to dissolve the air, and then returned into the bath 90, the pressure applied to the bath water is immediately applied in the bath 90. As a result, the air dissolved in the bathtub water precipitates to form microbubbles 100.

[0006] Here, the suspended matter 1 in the bathtub water in the bathtub 90.
In the case where 01 is present, the suspended matter 101 adheres to the fine bubbles 100 generated in the bathtub 90 as described above, and floats on the surface of the bathtub water.
The water is discharged through an overflow drain 93 and a drain pipe 94 provided in the bathtub 90.

[0007]

In the above conventional example, since the air is sucked into the bathtub water by the venturi 83 disposed upstream of the circulation pump 82, relatively large air bubbles are generated in the bathtub water. As it becomes easy to mix, each air bubble may combine and grow large,
There is a concern that the circulation pump 82 is likely to be air-locked. For this reason, conventionally, the circulation pump 8
As 2, it was necessary to use an expensive one having excellent air lock resistance.

In view of such circumstances, the applicant of the present application has separately proposed a fine bubble generating device which can efficiently dissolve air in a liquid without using an expensive circulation pump (Japanese Patent Application No. Hei 10-26139). 11-36631) "Microbubble generator".

FIG. 13 is a diagram showing the configuration of this separately proposed microbubble generator, in which 10 is a bathtub, 2
0 is a fine bubble generator, and the fine bubble generator 20
Takes out bathtub water in the bathtub 10 from the outlet 11 and dissolves air in the bathtub water.
By returning the gas to 0 from the return port 12, fine bubbles are generated in the bathtub 10, and includes a circulation passage 21, a circulation pump 22, a gas-liquid mixing tank 23, and a controller 24. The gas-liquid mixing tank 23 is provided downstream of the circulation pump 22 in the circulation passage 21.
The stored air inside is taken into the bath water pressurized in step 2 to dissolve and then pass through while storing a part.

In the microbubble generator 20, when the circulation pump 22 is driven, bathtub water is drawn out of the bathtub 10 into the circulation passage 21 and introduced into the gas-liquid mixing tank 23.

At this time, the bathtub water is pressurized by the circulation pump 22 against the inside of the gas-liquid mixing tank 23 and is made to vigorously collide with the bottom surface in the gas-liquid mixing tank 23 by the injection nozzle 26. Then, the air in the gas-liquid mixing tank 23 is entrained. As the required time elapses, the gas is discharged from the bottom surface of the gas-liquid mixing tank 23 to the circulation passage 21 side, but is gradually stored in the gas-liquid mixing tank 23 due to the balance between the amount of bath water introduced and the amount discharged. become. Along with the storage of the bathtub water, the bathtub water introduced from the injection nozzle 26 collides with the stored bathtub water, and is stirred while the air in the gas-liquid mixing tank 23 is entrained. A large amount of air will be dissolved in the bath water.

In this manner, a large amount of air is dissolved in the bathtub water in the gas-liquid mixing tank 23. The bathtub water discharged from the gas-liquid mixing tank 23 is discharged from the jet nozzle 25 into the bathtub 10 by the jet nozzle 25. And is decompressed. When the bathtub water is returned into the bathtub 10, the pressure applied to the bathtub water is released at once in the bathtub 10, so that the air dissolved in the bathtub water is deposited and a large amount of fine bubbles 16 are formed. Will happen.

As described above, the liquid pressurized by the circulation pump 22 is vigorously flowed into the gas-liquid mixing tank 23 so as to entrain the internally stored air to dissolve the liquid. As a result, the liquid containing air bubbles does not flow, so that it is not necessary to use an expensive circulation pump having excellent air lock resistance.

However, in the microbubble generator of FIG. 13, the air in the gas-liquid mixing tank 23 dissolves in the bath water and decreases with the elapse of the operation time. The air valve must be opened to introduce air into the gas-liquid mixing tank, and further improvement is desired from the viewpoint of operating efficiency.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made in view of the above points, and enables a fine bubble generating apparatus to efficiently dissolve air into a liquid without using an expensive circulation pump and to improve the operation efficiency. The purpose is to increase.

[0016]

In order to achieve the above-mentioned object, the present invention is configured as follows.

That is, the first microbubble generator of the present invention takes out the liquid in the storage tank, dissolves the air in the liquid, and then returns the liquid into the storage tank to remove the fine bubbles in the storage tank. A microbubble generator for generating a liquid, wherein a circulation passage connected to a liquid take-out port and a return port provided in a storage tank is provided, and is disposed in the middle of the circulation passage to take out and return the liquid in the storage tank. A circulation pump that circulates, and a gas that is interposed in the circulation passage downstream of the circulation pump and is introduced into the liquid that is pressurized and introduced by the circulation pump to dissolve the stored air therein and pass the liquid while storing a part thereof. It is characterized by comprising a liquid mixing tank, an air introduction passage provided in a circulation passage upstream of the circulation pump, and control means for controlling opening and closing of the air introduction passage to control the introduction of air.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the first configuration, the control means controls the opening and closing of the air introduction path based on a set time.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the first structure, a level sensor for detecting a liquid level in the gas-liquid mixing tank is provided. The control is performed based on the detection output of the level sensor.

The fourth microbubble generating apparatus of the present invention takes out the liquid in the storage tank, dissolves the air in the liquid, and then returns the liquid to the storage tank to generate fine bubbles in the storage tank. A microbubble generator, a circulation passage connected to the liquid outlet and return port provided in the storage tank,
A circulation pump disposed in the middle of the circulation passage to circulate the liquid in the storage tank so as to take out and return the liquid; and a circulation pump interposed in the circulation passage downstream of the circulation pump and internally pressurized and introduced by the circulation pump. A gas-liquid mixing tank that entrains and melts the stored air and passes a portion while storing the air, an air introduction passage provided in a circulation passage downstream of the circulation pump, and controls opening and closing of this air introduction passage. And control means for controlling the introduction of air.

The fifth microbubble generator of the present invention generates fine bubbles in the storage tank by taking out the liquid in the storage tank, dissolving air in the liquid, and then returning the liquid to the storage tank. A microbubble generator, a circulation passage connected to the liquid outlet and return port provided in the storage tank,
A circulation pump disposed in the middle of the circulation passage to circulate the liquid in the storage tank so as to take out and return the liquid; and a circulation pump interposed in the circulation passage downstream of the circulation pump and internally pressurized and introduced by the circulation pump. And a gas-liquid mixing tank through which a portion of the stored air is melted and dissolved and then passed while storing a part of the air. The circulation path from the circulation pump to the gas-liquid mixing tank is branched into at least two, and one branch is provided. An injection nozzle for injecting the liquid from the circulation pump into the gas-liquid mixing tank is connected to the passage, and air is mixed into the liquid from the circulation pump to the gas-liquid mixing tank in the other branch passage. And a switching means for switching a branch passage through which the liquid from the circulation pump is drawn out during operation of the circulation pump. It is set to.

The sixth microbubble generator of the present invention takes out the liquid in the storage tank, dissolves the air in the liquid, and then returns the liquid to the storage tank to generate fine bubbles in the storage tank. A microbubble generator, a circulation passage connected to the liquid outlet and return port provided in the storage tank,
A circulation pump that is disposed in the middle of the circulation passage and circulates the liquid in the storage tank so as to take out and return the liquid, and a circulation passage between the circulation pump and the return port is branched into a plurality of parallel passages. A switching means is provided for switching between selecting a passage as a circulation passage, and each branch passage is provided with a part of the liquid being pressurized and introduced by the circulating pump, in which the stored air contained therein is dissolved by being taken in. It is characterized in that gas-liquid mixing tanks through which the gas passes are interposed.

The microbubble generating apparatus of the present invention is configured to perform a process of dissolving air in a gas-liquid mixing tank disposed downstream of a circulation pump, and to compensate for a decrease due to dissolution of stored air in the gas-liquid mixing tank. Controlling the opening and closing of the air introduction passage communicating with the circulation passage while continuing the operation of the circulation pump, switching the circulation passage to a branch passage for air introduction,
Alternatively, the operation is appropriately performed by switching the gas-liquid mixing tank, whereby the stoppage of the operation for supplementing the air can be completely eliminated, and the operation efficiency can be improved.

In addition, the use of the above-described microbubble generating apparatus of the present invention enables a large amount of microbubbles to be generated at low cost, so that purification can be performed efficiently and bathing feeling can be enhanced. .

[0025]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS The details of the present invention will be described based on embodiments shown in the drawings.

(First Embodiment) FIGS. 1 to 3 show a first embodiment of the present invention. 1 is a configuration diagram of a bathtub system, FIG. 2 is a longitudinal sectional view of the gas-liquid mixing tank in FIG. 1, and FIG. 3 is a longitudinal sectional view of the gas-liquid mixing tank during operation.

In the figure, 10 is a bathtub and 20 is a fine bubble generator.

The bathtub 10 is provided with an outlet 11 and a return port 12 for bathwater, and an overflow drain port 1 is provided at a required height on one side wall of the bathtub 10.
3 are provided. A drain pipe 14 is connected to the overflow drain 13, and an electric valve 15 is provided at an end of the drain pipe 14.

The microbubble generator 20 generates fine bubbles in the bathtub 10 by once taking out bathtub water in the bathtub 10, dissolving air in the bathtub water, and returning the bathtub 10 to the bathtub 10. The apparatus includes a circulation passage 21, a circulation pump 22, a gas-liquid mixing tank 23, and a controller 24.

The circulation passage 21 is provided at the outlet 1 of the bathtub 10.
1 and the return port 12, so that the bathtub water can be taken out of the bathtub 10 and then returned. In the circulation passage 21, an ejection nozzle 25 is attached to the return port 12 of the bathtub 10 so as to spout bathtub water that has passed through the circulation passage 21 into the bathtub 10 more vigorously. The jet nozzle 25 has a water flow resistance set to be larger than a water flow resistance of an injection nozzle described later. Therefore, the diameter of the water passage of the jet nozzle 25 is smaller than the diameter of the water passage of the injection nozzle. Although the decompression body described above is provided, other than the provision of the decompression body, an obstruction body which becomes a water flow resistance may be provided. By setting the water flow resistance of the jet nozzle 25 larger than the water flow resistance of the jet nozzle in this way, the gas-liquid mixing tank 23
The inside can be kept pressurized.

The circulation pump 22 is provided in the middle of the circulation passage 21, and circulates bath water between the bath 10 and the circulation passage 21.

The gas-liquid mixing tank 23 is interposed downstream of the circulation pump 22 in the circulation passage 21. The gas stored in the bath water is pressurized and introduced by the circulation pump 22 to dissolve the stored air therein. The part is passed while being stored.

As shown in FIG. 2, the gas-liquid mixing tank 23 is connected to the circulation passage 21 so that bath water is introduced from the ceiling surface and the bath water flows out from the bottom surface to the bathtub 10 side. In the circulating passage 21, a jet nozzle 26 having a reduced diameter is attached to a bathtub water introduction portion connected to the gas-liquid mixing tank 23.

In the circulation passage 21 upstream of the circulation pump 22, a venturi 27 constituting an air introduction passage for supplying air to the tank 23 when the stored air in the gas-liquid mixing tank 23 decreases. Motor-operated valve 2 for opening and closing the air introduction passage 27a of the venturi 27
The opening and closing of the electric valve 2 is controlled by a controller 24 as control means.

The controller 24 includes the fine bubble generator 2
0 controls the operation of each component and executes the following operation.

Next, the operation of the microbubble generator 20 will be described. First, when an operation switch (not shown) is turned on, the circulation pump 22 is driven, and the bathtub 1 is turned on.
Bath water is drawn out from inside the circulation passage 21 and introduced into the gas-liquid mixing tank 23. At the beginning of the operation, the motor-operated valve 2 is closed and air is not introduced from the venturi 27.

The bathtub water is pressurized by the circulating pump 22 into the gas-liquid mixing tank 23 and violently collides with the bottom surface of the gas-liquid mixing tank 23 by the injection nozzle 26 to form the gas-liquid mixture. The stored air in the tank 23 is involved. As the required time elapses, the gas-liquid mixing tank 23
, But is gradually stored in the gas-liquid mixing tank 23 due to the balance between the amount of bathtub water introduced and the amount of outflow. When the bathtub water is thus stored, the bathtub water introduced from the injection nozzle 26 collides with the stored bathtub water, as shown in FIG. A large amount of air is dissolved in the stored bathtub water since the air in the bath 23 is stirred over a wide area in a state of being entrained.

In this manner, a large amount of air is dissolved in the bathtub water in the gas-liquid mixing tank 23, and the bathtub water flowing out of the gas-liquid mixing tank 23 is discharged from the jet nozzle 25 into the bathtub 10. And is decompressed. When the bathtub water is returned into the bathtub 10, the pressure applied to the bathtub water is released at once in the bathtub 10, so that the air dissolved in the bathtub water is deposited and a large amount of fine bubbles 16 are formed. Will happen.

Here, when there is a floating substance 17 in the bathtub water, the floating substance 17 is efficiently placed on the surface side of the bathtub water by the fine bubbles 16 generated in a large amount in the bathtub 10 as described above. Well surfaced. At this time, add hot water to the bathtub 10 to slightly raise the level of the bathtub water,
By opening the motor-operated valve 15 of the drain pipe 14 of the bathtub 10 at the same time, the floating substance 17 floated on the surface side of the bathtub water
Is the overflow drain 13 and the drain pipe 1 of the bathtub 10.
4 will be discharged.

As described above, in the fine bubble generating apparatus 20, the gas-liquid mixing tank 23 is disposed downstream of the circulation pump 22, and the bath water pressurized by the circulation pump 22 is jetted into the gas-liquid mixing tank 23 vigorously. Since the internal stored air is drawn in and dissolved, it is not necessary to make the circulation pump 22 expensive and excellent in air lock resistance as in the related art, thereby contributing to a reduction in the cost of the apparatus. Moreover, since air can be efficiently dissolved in bath water in the gas-liquid mixing tank 23, a large amount of fine bubbles 16 can be generated in the bath 10.

Incidentally, the air dissolving ability of bath gas in the gas-liquid mixing tank 23 of the microbubble generator 20 was examined by experiments, and will be described. First, regarding the experimental conditions, the diameter of the injection nozzle 26 was 6 mmφ, the gas-liquid mixing tank 23 was a cylindrical container, and the diameter was 75 m.
mφ, height 700 mm, flow rate was 8.0 L / min. The water temperature is 37 ° C., and the water quality is ion-exchanged water. As shown in FIG. 4, the result shows that the amount of dissolved oxygen in the ion-exchanged water was 14.3 after about 30 seconds from the start of operation.
mg / L, and maintains a substantially constant value for a certain period of time (about 5 to 7 minutes), and thereafter decreases due to a decrease in the amount of air in the gas-liquid mixing tank 23. Therefore, for the above-mentioned fixed time, the air dissolving operation for the generation of continuous fine bubbles can be performed, and the same operation can be performed again for a fixed time by sucking air into the gas-liquid mixing tank 23 after the lapse of the fixed time. become.

By the way, the air in the gas-liquid mixing tank 23 is gradually dissolved in the bath water with the lapse of the above-mentioned operation, so that the stored air in the gas-liquid mixing tank 23 eventually runs out. Will be lost.

Therefore, in this embodiment, when the time in which the air in the gas-liquid mixing tank 23 decreases and the level of the bath water in the tank 23 increases, the controller 2
4 opens the electric valve 2, introduces air from the venturi 27, mixes the air into the bathtub water, supplies the air into the gas-liquid mixing tank 23 through the circulation pump 22, and the air in the gas-liquid mixing tank 23 After a lapse of time to increase the bathtub water level in the tank 23, the controller 24 intermittently performs an air introduction process of closing the electric valve 2 and stopping the introduction of air. .

That is, the controller 24 informs the controller 24 of the time during which the air in the gas-liquid mixing tank 23 decreases and the level of the bath water in the tank 23 rises, and after the electric valve 2 is opened to start introducing air. The time until a desired amount of air is supplied into the liquid mixing tank 23 is set in advance, and the opening and closing of the electric valve 2 is controlled based on the set time.

Therefore, after the set time has elapsed from the start of operation with the motor-operated valve 2 closed, the gas-liquid mixing tank 23
When the air in the inside decreases, the controller 24 sets the electric valve 2
Is opened to start the introduction of air. When the set time has elapsed from the start of the introduction of air and the air in the gas-liquid mixing tank 23 is sufficiently supplied, the controller 24 closes the electric valve 2 to release the air. When the introduction is stopped, the electric valve 2 is closed, and the introduction of air is stopped, and the set time has elapsed and the air in the gas-liquid mixing tank 23 decreases, the controller 24 opens the electric valve 2 again to open the air. The process of introducing air is repeatedly performed.

The time during which the electric valve 2 is opened and air is introduced is set by opening the circulation pump 22 a predetermined number of times in a short time so as not to cause air lock.

As described above, when the air in the gas-liquid mixing tank 23 is reduced and the air needs to be replenished, the electric valve 2 is opened to introduce the air and mix it into the bath water to mix the gas-liquid mixing tank 23 Because it is supplied inside, without stopping the operation,
The air can be replenished, and the operation efficiency is improved as compared with a configuration in which the operation is stopped and air is introduced. Moreover, the introduction of air can be performed at appropriate intervals so that the circulation pump 22 does not cause air lock.

(Embodiment 2) FIG. 5 is a configuration diagram of a bathtub system according to Embodiment 2 of the present invention, and FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of a gas-liquid mixing tank of the above-described embodiment. 1
Are denoted by the same reference numerals, and the description thereof will be omitted.

In the first embodiment, the opening and closing control of the electric valve 2 is performed based on the set time. In the second embodiment, however, as shown in FIG. As a level sensor for detecting the level of bathtub water in the tank 23, an upper limit water level detection electrode 3 for detecting an upper limit water level L1 and a lower limit water level detection electrode 4 for detecting a lower limit water level L2 are provided. Based on the detection outputs of the detection electrodes 3 and 4, the opening and closing of the electric valve 2 is controlled to control the supply of air into the gas-liquid mixing tank 23.

That is, when the air in the gas-liquid mixing tank 23 decreases during operation, the level of the bath water in the tank 23 rises, reaches the upper limit water level L1, and is detected by the upper limit water level detecting electrode 3. The controller 24 opens the motor-operated valve 2, introduces air from the venturi 27, mixes the air into the bath water, supplies air into the gas-liquid mixing tank 23 through the circulation pump 22, When the air increases and the bathtub water level in the tank 23 decreases and falls below the lower limit water level L2 and is detected by the lower limit water level detection electrode 4, the controller 24 closes the motor-operated valve 2 to introduce air. The air introduction process of stopping is intermittently performed.

The time during which the motor-operated valve 2 is opened to supply air into the gas-liquid mixing tank 23 is set by executing the valve opening for a short time a predetermined number of times so that the circulating pump 22 does not cause air lock. You.

Other structures and effects are the same as those of the first embodiment.

In this embodiment, an electrode is used as a level sensor. However, the level is not limited to an electrode, and a level may be detected using a pressure sensor, a float switch, or the like.

(Embodiment 3) FIG. 7 is a configuration diagram of a bathtub system according to Embodiment 3 of the present invention, and portions corresponding to Embodiment 1 described above are given the same reference numerals. The description is omitted.

In each of the above-described embodiments, the venturi 27 for introducing air is disposed upstream of the circulation pump 22 when the air in the gas-liquid mixing tank 23 decreases. In the third embodiment, a configuration for introducing air is provided downstream of the circulation pump 22.

That is, in the third embodiment, the circulation passage from the circulation pump 22 to the gas-liquid mixing tank 23 is branched into two, and one of the branch passages 21a is provided with the circulation pump 2
An injection nozzle 26 for injecting bath water from the tank 2 into the gas-liquid mixing tank 23 is connected, and air is mixed into the bath water from the circulation pump 22 and supplied to the gas-liquid mixing tank 23 through the other branch passage 21b. Venturi 2 that constitutes an air inlet
7 is connected, and a three-way valve 5 as switching means for switching between which branch passage 21a and 21b the bath water from the circulation pump 22 is led out is interposed in the branch part. Switching is controlled by the controller 24.

One end of the venturi 27 for introducing air into the gas-liquid mixing tank 23 is connected to the gas-liquid mixing tank 2.
3, and a motor-operated valve 2, which is opened and closed by a controller 24, is connected to an air inlet 27 a of the venturi 27.
Is provided. In addition, the diameter of the throttle portion of the venturi 27 is set smaller than the diameter of the ejection nozzle 25 of the bathtub 10, whereby air can be taken in from the venturi 27. Next, the operation of the third embodiment will be described.

First, in a normal operation state in which sufficient air is present in the gas-liquid mixing tank 23, the three-way valve 5 is located on the side of the branch passage 21a to which the injection nozzle 26 is connected. Is closed. In this state, the bathtub water from the bathtub 10 is pressurized by the circulation pump 22, and is vigorously introduced into the gas-liquid mixing tank 23 while being compressed by the injection nozzle 26 through the three-way valve 5. Large amount of air is dissolved in the bathtub water.

In this manner, the bathtub water in which a large amount of air is dissolved is jetted from the jet nozzle 25 into the bathtub 10 and decompressed to generate a large amount of fine bubbles 16 in the bathtub water.

In the third embodiment, the gas-liquid mixing tank 2
When the air in 3 dissolves in the bath water and decreases, the three-way valve 5
Is switched to the side of the branch passage 21b in which the venturi 27 is interposed, the motor-operated valve 2 is opened, and bathtub water from the circulation pump 22 is led out to the side of the venturi 27 via the three-way valve 5, and air is released by the venturi 27. The bath tub water that has been introduced and mixed with air is discharged into the gas-liquid mixing tank 23 to replenish the air in the gas-liquid mixing tank 23.

When the air in the gas-liquid mixing tank 23 is sufficiently replenished and the level of bath water in the tank 23 decreases, the three-way valve 5 is switched again to the branch passage 21a on the side of the injection nozzle 26 and the electric valve 2 Close the gas-liquid mixing tank 2
It dissolves the air in the bathtub water in 3,
Thereafter, when the air in the gas-liquid mixing tank 23 decreases, the three-way valve 5 is connected to the branch passage 2 in which the venturi 27 is interposed.
The process is switched to the 1b side, and the process of opening the electric valve 2 and introducing air is repeated.

As described above, when the air in the gas-liquid mixing tank 23 decreases, the three-way valve 5 is switched, and the electric valve 2 is opened to introduce air in the same manner as in the first embodiment. It may be performed based on the set time, or, similarly to the above-described second embodiment, the gas-liquid mixing tank 23.
In this embodiment, the air may be introduced downstream of the circulation pump 22, so that the level may be detected by detecting the level of the bathtub water in the inside, as in the first and second embodiments described above.
Air lock of the circulation pump 22 does not occur.

The third embodiment is also similar to the first and second embodiments.
The same operation and effect as those of No. 2 can be obtained.

(Embodiment 4) FIG. 8 is a configuration diagram of a bathtub system according to Embodiment 4 of the present invention, and portions corresponding to Embodiment 1 described above are denoted by the same reference numerals. The description is omitted. FIG. 8 shows a state in which different gas-liquid mixing tanks are used.

In this embodiment, the gas-liquid mixing tank 23
When the air in the gas-liquid mixing tank 23a (23b) being used is reduced, another gas-liquid mixing tank 23b (23a) is used. The liquid mixing tank 23a (23b) is supplemented with air.

That is, a plurality of, in this example, two, circulation passages between the circulation pump 22 and the return port 12 are branched in parallel, and which of the branch passages 21a and 21b is selected as the circulation passage is switched. The first and second three-way valves 6 and 7 are provided as switching means, and the air stored in the bath is introduced into the bath water pressurized and introduced by the circulation pump 22 into the branch passages 21a and 21b. Gas-liquid mixing tank 23 that passes while storing a part
The gas-liquid mixing tanks 23a and 23b have electric valves 31a and 31b on their ceiling surfaces for opening the atmosphere and introducing air into the inside.
Is provided, and a motor-operated valve 31a,
When opening 31b and introducing air, electric valves 32a and 32b are provided for draining the bathtub water inside to the outside, and these electric valves 31a and 31b; 32a and 32b are provided.
Is closed during normal times other than when air is introduced. The three-way valves 6, 7 and the electric valves 31a, 31b; 32
a and 32b are controlled by the controller 24.

Next, the operation of the fourth embodiment will be described.

First, the first and second three-way valves 6 and 7 are controlled to control one of the gas-liquid mixing tanks, for example, the gas-liquid mixing tank 23.
a is connected to the circulation passage between the circulation pump 22 and the return port 12, and the operation is started as shown in FIG.

The bath water from the bath 10 is supplied to the circulation pump 22
Gas-liquid mixing tank 23 through the three-way valve 6
It is led out to the side a and is vigorously introduced into the gas-liquid mixing tank 23 in a state where it is compressed by the injection nozzle 26, and the air in the tank 23 is entrained, so that a large amount of air is dissolved in the bathtub water.

The bathtub water in which a large amount of air has been dissolved reaches the bathtub 10 through the three-way valve 7 and is jetted out of the jet nozzle 25 into the bathtub 10 to be decompressed, thereby producing a large amount of fine bubbles in the bathtub water. 16 will be generated.

In the fourth embodiment, the gas-liquid mixing tank 2
As soon as the air in the bath 3a dissolves in the bath water and decreases, the first and second three-way valves 6 and 7 are switched to the gas-liquid mixing tank 23b side, and as shown in FIG. The operation is performed using the mixing tank 23b to generate fine bubbles. During that time, the electric valves 31a and 32a of the gas-liquid mixing tank 23a in which the air is reduced are opened to take in air from above while draining the bathtub water, and when the intake of air is completed, the electric valves 31a and 31b are closed again.

When the air in the gas-liquid mixing tank 23b decreases, the first and second three-way valves 6 and 7 are connected to the gas-liquid mixing tank 23b.
Switching to the b side, as shown in FIG. 8A, the operation is performed using the gas-liquid mixing tank 23a to generate fine bubbles, while the electric valves 31b, 32b is opened to take in air while draining bathtub water, and the electric valve 31b,
Close 32b. The two gas-liquid mixing tanks 23a, 23b
At the time of switching, the three-way valves 6 and 7 are configured so that the other branch passage is opened before one branch passage is closed during the switching.

As described above, one gas-liquid mixing tank 2
When the other gas-liquid mixing tank 23b (23a) is replenished with air while operating using the 3a (23b) and the air in the one gas-liquid mixing tank 23a (23b) decreases, the other gas-liquid mixing tank 23b (23b) decreases. The operation is switched to the tank 23b (23a) and the one gas-liquid mixing tank 23a (23
Since the operation of b) of replenishing the air is repeated, the operation efficiency is improved as compared with the configuration in which the operation is stopped during the replenishment of the air.

In the fourth embodiment as well, as in the first embodiment described above, one gas-liquid mixing tank 23a (23b) is switched from the other gas-liquid mixing tank 23b (23a) based on the set time. Alternatively, as in the second embodiment, the level of the bath water in the gas-liquid mixing tank may be detected and the level may be switched based on the detected level.

As another embodiment of the present invention, three or more gas-liquid mixing tanks may be provided for switching.

(Other Embodiments) In the gas-liquid mixing tank 23 described in each of the above embodiments, relatively large air bubbles are mixed in the process of dissolving air in bath water, and this air mixing Bath water may flow out from the bottom outlet of the gas-liquid mixing tank 23.

In consideration of such an event, it is desirable to avoid the outflow of relatively large bubbles by adopting a configuration as shown in FIGS. 9 to 11, for example.

In FIG. 9, the bottom of the gas-liquid mixing tank 23
There is disclosed a configuration in which a porous plate 40 is attached, which separates the inner space into two parts, a bath tub water introduction space and a bath tub water outflow space. The porous plate 40 here is a gas-liquid mixing tank 2
3 is provided with a plurality of micro holes (not numbered) for passing only bath water in which air is dissolved from the upper space to the lower space to prevent the passage of relatively large bubbles. It is considered to be a binding metal.

In FIG. 10, a partition plate 41 for separating the internal space into upper and lower parts is mounted on the bottom side of the gas-liquid mixing tank 23, and a cylindrical or square cylindrical body 42 is mounted on the upper surface thereof. An arrangement is disclosed. The partition plate 41 here may be the above-mentioned porous plate or a non-porous plate made of synthetic resin or metal, and provided with through holes 41a vertically penetrating at least at one place on the outer periphery thereof. Have been. In this case, the bath water introduced into the gas-liquid mixing tank 23 is once stirred so that the air is dissolved inside the cylinder 42, and detours from the upper opening of the cylinder 42 to the outer peripheral space. The bathtub water that has flowed out flows out of the through hole 41a of the partition plate 41 through the outlet of the gas-liquid mixing tank 23 to the outside.

FIG. 11 shows a configuration of the cylinder 4 of the configuration shown in FIG.
There is disclosed a configuration in which a notch 42a for draining water is provided at at least one place on the circumference at the lower end of the second peripheral wall. In this case, after the operation is stopped, the bathtub water in the cylinder 42 gradually flows out to the through hole 41a of the partition plate 41 via the drainage notch 42a, so that the interior of the cylinder 42 can be emptied.

In the example shown in FIG. 9, the porous plate 4 is made of foreign substances such as human hair and dirt mixed in bath water.
0 may be clogged with time, and the gas-liquid mixing tank 23 may need to be periodically cleaned. However, in the example shown in FIG. Since it is provided, the above-mentioned foreign substances such as human hair and dirt are easily discharged, which is advantageous in that it is maintenance-free.

In the example shown in FIG. 10, however, the gas-liquid mixing tank 23
When the bathtub water inside is drained naturally or forcibly,
Bathtub water will remain inside the cylinder 42. this is,
With the next operation, the bathtub 10
There is no problem because it is discharged to the side, but when the operation is left for a long time without restarting, the cylinder 42
The bath water remaining inside may rot. On the other hand, if the notch 42a for draining water is provided in the cylinder 442 as in the example shown in FIG. 11, the bathtub water in the cylinder 42 can be drained after the operation is stopped. The troubles that have occurred are avoided.

[0083]

According to the fine bubble generating apparatus of the present invention, a gas-liquid mixing tank is disposed downstream of the circulation pump, and the liquid pressurized by the circulation pump is urged into the gas-liquid mixing tank. It has sufficient air-dissolving capacity, such as eliminating the need for expensive circulation lock pumps with excellent air-locking resistance, unlike the prior art, because the internal stored air is drawn in and dissolved. This can contribute to a reduction in the cost of the device.

In addition, the reduction due to the dissolution of the stored air in the gas-liquid mixing tank is compensated for by controlling the opening and closing of the air introduction port while continuing the operation of the circulation pump, by switching to a branch passage for air introduction, or By switching the gas-liquid mixing tank or the like, the operation is appropriately performed, whereby the stoppage of the operation for replenishing the air can be completely eliminated, and the operation is performed over the period of replenishing the air. The operation efficiency can be greatly improved as compared with the configuration in which the operation is stopped.

In particular, in the inventions of claims 4 to 6, since a structure for introducing air to the gas-liquid mixing tank is provided downstream of the circulation pump, there is no air lock of the pump. It is very advantageous.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram showing a bathtub system according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a longitudinal sectional view of a gas-liquid mixing tank in FIG.

FIG. 3 is a longitudinal sectional view of a gas-liquid mixing tank during operation.

FIG. 4 is a table showing the results of examining the air dissolving capacity of the gas-liquid mixing tank of FIG. 2;

FIG. 5 is a configuration diagram of another embodiment of the present invention.

6 is an enlarged view of a gas-liquid mixing tank in FIG.

FIG. 7 is a configuration diagram of still another embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a configuration diagram of another embodiment of the present invention.

9 is a view showing a modification of the gas-liquid mixing tank and corresponding to FIG. 2;

FIG. 10 is a view corresponding to FIG. 3, showing a modification of the gas-liquid mixing tank.

11 is a view corresponding to FIG. 3, showing a modification of the gas-liquid mixing tank.

FIG. 12 is a configuration diagram showing a conventional bathtub system.

FIG. 13 is a configuration diagram showing a bathtub system separately proposed by the present applicant.

[Explanation of symbols]

 Reference Signs List 2 motorized valve 3 upper limit water level detection electrode 4 lower limit water level detection electrode 5, 6, 7 three-way valve 10 bathtub 11 take-out port 12 return port 13 overflow drain port 14 drain pipe 16 microbubbles 17 suspended matter 20 microbubble generator 21 circulation passage 22 Circulation pump 23, 23a, 23b Gas-liquid mixing tank

Claims (6)

[Claims] 1. A microbubble generating apparatus for taking out a liquid in a storage tank, dissolving air in the liquid, and returning the liquid to the storage tank to generate fine bubbles in the storage tank. A circulation passage connected to the liquid take-out port and the return port provided in the tank; a circulation pump arranged in the middle of the circulation passage for taking out and returning the liquid in the storage tank; and a circulation pump in the circulation passage. A gas-liquid mixing tank which is interposed downstream and entrains the internal stored air into the liquid pressurized and introduced by the circulating pump, dissolves the liquid, and then passes while storing a part thereof, and an upstream of the circulating pump. A microbubble generator, comprising: an air introduction passage provided in a circulation passage; and control means for controlling opening and closing of the air introduction passage to control introduction of air. 2. The microbubble generator according to claim 1, wherein the control means controls the opening and closing of the air introduction path based on a set time. 3. The microbubble generator according to claim 1, further comprising a level sensor for detecting a liquid level in the gas-liquid mixing tank, wherein the control means controls the opening and closing of the air introduction path by the level sensor. A microbubble generator, wherein the microbubble generation is performed based on a detection output of the microbubble. 4. A microbubble generator for taking out a liquid in a storage tank, dissolving air in the liquid, and returning the liquid into the storage tank to generate fine bubbles in the storage tank. A circulation passage connected to the liquid take-out port and the return port provided in the tank; a circulation pump arranged in the middle of the circulation passage for taking out and returning the liquid in the storage tank; and a circulation pump in the circulation passage. A gas-liquid mixing tank that is interposed downstream and entrains and dissolves the stored air in the liquid into the liquid that is pressurized and introduced by the circulation pump, and then passes while storing a part of the liquid. A microbubble generator, comprising: an air introduction passage provided in a circulation passage; and control means for controlling opening and closing of the air introduction passage to control introduction of air. 5. A microbubble generating apparatus for taking out a liquid in a storage tank, dissolving air in the liquid, and returning the liquid into the storage tank to generate fine bubbles in the storage tank. A circulation passage connected to the liquid take-out port and the return port provided in the tank; a circulation pump arranged in the middle of the circulation passage for taking out and returning the liquid in the storage tank; and a circulation pump in the circulation passage. A gas-liquid mixing tank that is interposed downstream of the liquid and pressurized and introduced by the circulating pump to entangle and melt the stored air therein and then pass while storing a part of the liquid. The circulation passage to the gas-liquid mixing tank is branched into at least two, and one of the branch passages is connected to an injection nozzle that injects the liquid from the circulation pump into the gas-liquid mixing tank, The passage is connected to an air introduction unit that mixes air into the liquid from the circulation pump and supplies the mixed liquid to the gas-liquid mixing tank. During the operation of the circulation pump, the liquid from the circulation pump is connected to any branch. A microbubble generator characterized by comprising a switching means for switching whether to lead out to a passage. 6. A microbubble generating device for taking out a liquid in a storage tank, dissolving air in the liquid, and returning the liquid into the storage tank to generate fine bubbles in the storage tank. A circulation passage connected to a liquid take-out port and a return port provided in the tank; a circulation pump disposed in the middle of the circulation passage for taking out and returning the liquid in the storage tank to circulate; The circulation passage between the return opening and the branch passage is branched into a plurality of parallel passages, and switching means for switching which branch passage is selected as the circulation passage is provided.Each branch passage is pressurized and introduced by the circulation pump. A gas-liquid mixing tank in which the stored air inside is taken in and dissolved in a liquid, and a part of the gas is passed while storing the air.