JP7439566B2 - faucet generator - Google Patents

Description

The disclosed embodiments relate to faucet generators.

Faucet devices include, for example, human body detection sensors, electromagnetic valves that open and close the water supply channel based on signals sent from the sensor, and colors of light that shine on the water depending on the temperature of the water discharged from the spout. Electrical systems such as LED (Light Emitting Diode) lighting are being incorporated to change the lighting conditions.

Along with this, a hydraulic power generator is sometimes incorporated into the faucet device as one means for obtaining the electric power necessary to operate the electrical system.

Conventionally, hydraulic power generators (hereinafter referred to as faucet generators) incorporated in faucet devices include so-called axial flow type generators that are small and have high power generation efficiency.

An axial-flow faucet generator, for example, has a water supply pipe having a water supply flow path, a rotation axis approximately parallel to the water supply flow path, and a plurality of impellers that can rotate around the rotation axis. The rotor has a lid that is placed on the tip side of the blade and rotates around the rotation axis together with the blade, a magnet that can rotate integrally with the rotor, a coil that generates an electromotive force by the rotation of the magnet, and a lid that rotates around the rotation axis together with the blade. and a nozzle portion having a plurality of holes that eject water flowing from a substantially parallel direction toward the blade from a radially outer direction of the blade within a plane substantially perpendicular to the rotation axis (for example, Patent Document 1 reference).

Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2014-167301

Incidentally, water faucet devices are becoming increasingly water-saving, and therefore, in order to effectively utilize the limited energy of water, it is required to efficiently convert water power into electricity to increase power generation efficiency.

However, in the conventional faucet generators described above, some of the water flowing toward the blades escapes from between the tips of the blades and the lid surface to the rear of the blades, reducing the efficiency of converting water power into electricity. In other words, power generation efficiency may decrease. As described above, conventional faucet generators have room for improvement in terms of increasing power generation efficiency.

One aspect of the embodiment has been made in view of the above, and aims to provide a faucet generator that can improve power generation efficiency.

A faucet generator according to one aspect of the embodiment includes: a water supply pipe having a water supply channel through which water flows from a water supply inlet; a rotating shaft disposed in the water supply channel; and a rotating shaft rotating around the rotating shaft. a rotor blade member having a rotor impeller; a lid member that closes the tip side of the impeller and rotates around a rotating shaft integrally with the impeller; and a lid member that is integral with the rotor blade member at an outer peripheral portion of the rotor blade member a coil that generates an electromotive force by the rotation of the magnet; and a nozzle portion having a hole that ejects water toward the impeller, and the lid member is arranged radially on a surface facing the impeller in correspondence with the tip of the impeller in a plan view, and the lid member is arranged radially on a surface facing the impeller, and the lid member is arranged radially in a plane facing the impeller. It has a plurality of recesses into which the tip of the head fits.

According to such a configuration, a so-called labyrinth structure is created in which the space between the tip of the impeller blade and the surface of the lid member facing the impeller (lid surface) is intricate, so that the water flow toward the impeller flows through the impeller blades. It is difficult to escape to the rear of the blade from between the tip and the lid surface. Therefore, the water flow hits the impeller efficiently, and the conversion efficiency from hydraulic power to electricity, that is, the power generation efficiency can be increased.

Further, in the faucet generator, the cover member is provided with a shaft portion through which the rotating shaft is inserted in a central portion of the surface facing the impeller in a plan view, and the impeller has the blades and the shaft portion. There is a gap between the proximal ends through which water can flow.

With this configuration, the water that flows into the nozzle part from the gap between each blade of the impeller and the shaft part pushes the blades and then flows around the shaft part without stagnation, so that the water can be efficiently The impeller can be rotated. In addition, the water that has flowed around the shaft pushes the blades again when flowing out through the gaps between the multiple blades connected to the holes that flow out to the nozzle, making the impeller more efficient. can be turned.

Further, in the faucet generator, the recess extends halfway from the outer periphery of the surface of the lid member facing the impeller to the center in plan view, and extends between the blade and the base end. is not stretched.

If the recess extends from the outer periphery of the surface facing the impeller to the center, the recess may generate a vortex in the water flowing around the shaft. Therefore, according to such a configuration, it is possible to suppress the generation of vortices in the water flowing around the shaft part, and it is possible to efficiently flow water inside the nozzle part, so that the impeller can be more efficiently can be turned.

Further, in the faucet generator, the shaft portion extends along the rotating shaft and has bearings for the rotating shaft at both ends in the extending direction.

According to such a configuration, for example, the bearings can be provided separately, and the rotating shaft can be supported at two points separated by a large distance, so that the inclination of the rotating shaft can be suppressed and the lid member can be mounted on the rotating shaft. It can be rotated stably.

Further, in the faucet generator, the shaft portion extends at least to a position overlapping the magnet in a side view.

According to such a configuration, the bearings can be provided apart from each other, and the rotating shaft can be supported at two points separated by a large distance, so that tilting of the rotating shaft can be suppressed more reliably.

Further, in the faucet generator, the shaft portion extends to an end of the rotor blade member on the opposite side to the side on which the impeller is disposed in side view.

According to such a configuration, since the bearing positions can be separated, the inclination of the rotating shaft can be suppressed more reliably.

Further, in the faucet generator, the lid member has the shaft portion protruding from an end of the rotor blade member on a side opposite to the side where the impeller is disposed, and is fixed at the protruding portion.

According to such a configuration, since the shaft portion of the lid member protrudes from the opposite end of the rotor blade member, the protruding portion can be used for fixing the lid member, such as by welding. Furthermore, by fixing the shaft portion of the lid member at the opposite end of the rotor blade member, for example, the lid member may be fixed by adhesion or welding at the end of the rotor blade member on the side where the impeller is arranged. It is possible to suppress the influence on the rotation of the impeller, etc.

Further, in the faucet generator, the rotor blade member has a positioning portion at an end opposite to the side on which the impeller is arranged, which determines the mutual positions of the impeller and the lid member.

According to such a configuration, since the impeller and the lid member can be aligned at the opposite end of the rotor blade member, alignment of both becomes easy and ease of assembly can be improved.

According to one aspect of the embodiment, power generation efficiency can be increased.

FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram of a faucet device including a faucet generator according to an embodiment. FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the faucet generator according to the embodiment. FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view of the rotor. FIG. 4 is a side sectional view of the rotor. FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the rotor blade member. FIG. 6 is (a) a plan view of the rotor blade member, (b) a side view of the rotor blade member, and (c) a bottom view of the rotor blade member. FIG. 7 is a perspective view of one lid member. FIG. 8 is (a) a plan view of one lid member, (b) a side view of one lid member, and (c) a bottom view of one lid member. FIG. 9 is a perspective view of the other lid member. FIG. 10 is a plan view of the other lid member. FIG. 11 is an explanatory diagram of the aspect of water flow in this example. FIG. 12 is an explanatory diagram of the aspect of water flow in a comparative example.

DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, embodiments of a faucet generator disclosed in the present application will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. Note that the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described below.

<Faucet device>
First, an example of a faucet device (automatic faucet device) 1 including a faucet generator 10 according to an embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram of a faucet device 1 including a faucet generator 10 according to an embodiment. As shown in FIG. 1, a faucet device 1 is an automatic faucet device that automatically discharges water when a user's hand or the like is detected, and is installed, for example, in a wash basin 7 or the like. The faucet device 1 is connected to an inlet (not shown) for tap water or the like via a pipe 8.

The faucet device 1 includes a main body 2 and a spout 3. The main body 2 has a cylindrical shape, for example, and is supplied with water (tap water or the like) W. The main body 2 is fixed at a predetermined fixed position. The spout 3 discharges water W supplied to the main body 2 to the outside of the faucet device 1 .

The faucet device 1 also includes a detection unit 4 . The detection unit 4 is a human body detection sensor, such as an infrared sensor or a radio wave sensor. The detection unit 4 detects a user's hand or the like. The detection unit 4 is arranged near the water spout 3, for example.

The faucet device 1 also includes a water supply channel 5 and a solenoid valve 6. The water supply channel 5 is formed inside the faucet device 1 . The water supply channel 5 is a channel that guides water W flowing from the inlet and flowing through the pipe 8 to the water outlet 3. The electromagnetic valve 6 is arranged within the main body 2 and opens and closes the water supply channel 5.

Note that the faucet device 1 may further include a constant flow valve and a pressure reducing valve (or pressure regulating valve). The constant flow valve is a valve that is arranged downstream of the electromagnetic valve 6 and is used to limit the amount of water discharged to a constant value. The pressure reducing valve (pressure regulating valve) is disposed upstream of the solenoid valve 6 and is a valve for reducing the pressure when the source pressure (primary pressure) of the water supply is significantly higher than the working pressure.

The faucet device 1 also includes a faucet generator 10 . The faucet device 1 further includes a charging section (not shown) and a control section (not shown). The charging unit charges the electric power generated by the faucet generator 10. The control section controls the detection section 4 and the opening/closing of the electromagnetic valve 6. The faucet generator 10 is arranged downstream of the electromagnetic valve 6 and the constant flow valve.

Since the faucet generator 10 is placed downstream of the solenoid valve 6 and the constant flow valve, the source pressure (primary pressure) of the water supply does not directly act on the faucet generator 10, resulting in high It does not require pressure resistance and is advantageous in terms of reliability and cost.

Further, it is preferable that the charging section and the control section are connected to each other via wiring and arranged at a position in the upper part of the main body 2 and further above the upper part of the water supply channel 5. As a result, even if, for example, water droplets condensing on the outer surface of the flow pipe forming the water supply flow path 5 fall or flow down the flow pipe, it is possible to prevent the charging section and the control section from being flooded with water. It is possible to prevent failures of the parts and control parts.

Further, the control unit is connected to a later-described coil of the faucet generator 10 via wiring. Thereby, the output (power) of the coil is sent to the charging section via the control section.

The faucet device 1 can be suitably used in a living space. The purpose of use of the faucet device 1 includes, for example, a kitchen faucet device, a living/dining faucet device, a shower faucet device, a toilet faucet device, a washroom faucet device, and the like.

In addition, the faucet generator 10 is not limited to an automatic faucet device such as the faucet device 1, but also a one-touch type faucet device with a manual switch on/off, and a metered water discharge type that stops water by counting the flow rate of water. The present invention may be applied to a water faucet device, a timer type faucet device that shuts off water after a preset time, and the like. In addition, the electric power generated by the faucet generator 10 is used for, for example, lighting up, generating electrolyzed functional water such as alkaline ion water or silver ion-containing water, flow rate display (metering), temperature display, audio guide, etc. It's okay.

In addition, in the faucet device 1, the water discharge flow rate is set to, for example, 100 liters per minute or less, preferably 30 liters per minute or less. In a bathroom faucet device, it is desirable to set the water flow to 5 liters per minute or less.

In addition, when the water discharge flow rate is relatively large, such as in a toilet faucet device, the water flowing from the water supply pipe 20 to the faucet generator 10 is branched, and the flow rate of water flowing through the faucet generator 10 is reduced per minute. It is desirable to adjust the amount to 30 liters or less.

By adjusting the flow rate in this manner, when the flow rate is large, all the water W is allowed to flow from the water supply pipe 20 to the faucet generator 10, and the rotation speed of the impeller 413 (described later) becomes too large, causing noise and the rotation shaft. It is possible to suppress the occurrence of problems such as increased wear. Further, even if the rotation speed of the impeller 413 increases, if the rotation speed is not appropriate, energy loss occurs due to overcurrent or coil heat, so it is possible to suppress the occurrence of problems such as the amount of power generation not increasing.

<Generator for faucets>
Next, an outline of the faucet generator 10 according to the embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the faucet generator 10 according to the embodiment.

Note that FIG. 2 shows a three-dimensional orthogonal coordinate system including a Z axis whose positive direction is vertically upward (upward). In the following, for convenience of explanation, the positive direction of the X-axis is defined as right, the negative direction of X-axis is defined as left, the positive direction of Y-axis is defined as forward, and the negative direction of Y-axis is defined as backward. The left-right direction, the Y-axis direction may be referred to as the front-rear direction, and the Z-axis direction may be referred to as the up-down direction.

As shown in FIG. 2, the faucet generator 10 includes a water supply pipe 20, a substantial non-rotating shaft 30, a rotor 40, a stator (not shown), a nozzle part 50, and a sealing part 60. Equipped with.

The water supply pipe 20 includes a large diameter portion 21, a medium diameter portion 22, and a small diameter portion 23. The water supply pipe 20 is formed into a stepped shape by arranging a cylindrical large diameter portion 21, medium diameter portion 22, and small diameter portion 23 substantially parallel to the axial direction (Z-axis direction, that is, the vertical direction). be done. The water supply pipe 20 has a water supply inlet and a water supply outlet. A water supply channel is formed inside the water supply pipe 20, through which water in the pipe 8 (see FIG. 1) flows. In addition, in FIG. 2, the rough flow of water inside the water supply pipe 20 is shown by the arrow line.

Further, a shaft 30 is arranged inside the water supply pipe 20, and a rotor 40, a stator, and a nozzle portion 50 are arranged around the shaft 30. In the water supply pipe 20, the sealing portion 60 is attached to the large diameter portion 21, so that the opening 21a of the large diameter portion 21 is sealed.

The shaft 30 is arranged, for example, substantially parallel to the water supply flow path . The shaft 30 is attached to a nozzle section 50, which will be described later . The shaft 30 is supported in the nozzle section 50 by a support section (not shown).

The rotor 40 is attached to the shaft 30 so as to be rotatable around the axis of the shaft 30. The rotor 40 includes a moving blade member 41, a lid member (hereinafter referred to as one lid member) 42, a magnet 43, and the other lid member 44. Among these, the magnet 43 has a cylindrical shape and is arranged on the outer periphery of the rotor blade member 41, which will be described later. In other words, the magnet 43 is arranged so that the rotor blade member 41 is fitted into the inner peripheral space.

Furthermore, the magnet 43 is rotatable around the shaft 30 integrally with the rotor blade member 41 . The outer peripheral surface of the magnet 43 is magnetized with N poles and S poles alternately along the circumferential direction. Note that the remaining components of the rotor 40, such as the rotor blade member 41, one lid member 42, and the other lid member 44, will be described later using FIGS. 3 to 10.

The stator is arranged at a position on the outer peripheral side of the magnet 43. The stator is arranged, for example, on the outer peripheral side of the water supply pipe 20. The stator may be arranged, for example, to face the axial end face (upper end face or lower end face) of the magnet 43, or may be arranged to face the side peripheral face of the magnet 43.

The stator includes, for example, a yoke and a coil. The yoke is made of, for example, a soft magnetic material (for example, rolled steel). The coil is formed by, for example, winding a conducting wire in an annular shape. In the coil, an electromotive force is generated by the rotation of the magnet 43.

The nozzle section 50 includes a plurality of holes (not shown). The plurality of holes (hereinafter referred to as injection holes) are arranged on the outer peripheral side of the rotor blade member 41, for example, so as to surround the rotor blade member 41. The injection hole directs water flowing from a direction substantially parallel to the axis 30 (Z-axis direction, that is, the vertical direction) into an impeller (described later) within a plane substantially perpendicular to the axis 30 (XY plane). It is ejected toward this impeller 413 from the radially outer direction of the impeller 413 .

The sealing portion 60 is attached to the water supply pipe 20 so as to liquid-tightly seal the opening 21a of the large diameter portion 21 of the water supply pipe 20. The sealing part 60 is fixed to the water supply pipe 20 with a fastener 61 such as a screw. When the sealing part 60 is attached to the water supply pipe 20, the position of the nozzle part 50 in the axial direction (vertical direction) is regulated.

<Rotor>
Next, the rotor 40 will be explained with reference to FIGS. 3 to 10. FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view of the rotor 40. FIG. 4 is a side sectional view of the rotor 40. Note that FIG. 4 shows a schematic cross section of the rotor 40. Also, in FIGS. 3 and 4, similarly to FIG. 2, a three-dimensional orthogonal coordinate system including a Z axis whose positive direction is vertically upward (upward) is shown.

As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4 and described above, the rotor 40 includes a rotor blade member 41, one lid member 42, a magnet 43, and the other lid member 44. In the rotor 40, a rotor blade member 41, one lid member 42, a magnet 43, and the other lid member 44 are assembled on the shaft 30 (see FIG. 2).

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the rotor blade member 41. FIG. 6 is (a) a plan view of the rotor blade member 41, (b) a side view of the rotor blade member 41, and (c) a bottom view of the rotor blade member 41. The rotor blade member 41 is a member that is rotatable around the shaft 30 (see FIG. 2).

As shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, the rotor blade member 41 includes a main body 411, an impeller 413, and a positioning portion 416. The main body 411 has a cylindrical shape. The outer peripheral surface 411a of the main body 411 is provided with an engagement protrusion 412 for engaging with an engagement recess 431 (see FIG. 3) of the magnet 43 when the magnet 43 (see FIG. 3) is attached.

The impeller 413 is provided at one end of the main body 411 coaxially with the main body 411. The impeller 413 includes a substrate 414 and a plurality of blades 415. The substrate 414 has a disk shape. The plurality of blades 415 are provided on the substrate 414, and extend halfway from the outer periphery of the substrate 414 to the center when viewed from the bottom, as shown in FIG. 6(c).

Moreover, it is preferable that the plurality of blades 415 be configured in a curved line when viewed from the bottom. In this case, the plurality of blades 415 are similarly curved toward the center of the substrate 414.

Note that, for example, the number of blades 415 is 11 and the number of injection holes (not shown) of the nozzle part 50 (see FIG. 2) is three, and the number of blades 415 is an integral multiple of the number of injection holes. It is preferable that the number of sheets is different. Thereby, the timing at which the water ejected from the injection hole collides with the vicinity of the outer peripheral edge of each blade 415 can be shifted, and the generation of vibration and noise of the impeller 413 can be suppressed.

The impeller 413 is rotatable around the shaft 30 (see FIG. 2). That is, as described above, the rotor blade member 41 is rotatable around the shaft 30. As the rotor blade member 41 rotates, the magnet 43 rotates together with the rotor blade member 41.

The positioning portion 416 is provided at the other end (other end surface) of the main body 411 on the opposite side to the side where the impeller 413 is arranged. As shown in FIG. 6A, the positioning portion 416 is a plurality of (for example, four) holes 416a arranged on the same circle centered on the shaft hole 417 through which the shaft 30 is inserted. The positioning portion 416 allows the positions of the impeller 415 and the one lid member 42 to be adjusted by inserting a plurality of (four) protrusions 424a of one lid member 42, which will be described later, into a hole 416a along the axial direction of the shaft 30. Match. In this case, a plurality of protrusions 424a (see FIG. 8) of the engaging part 424 of the shaft part 423 and a plurality of holes 416a of the positioning part 416, which will be described later, are prepared, and the protrusions with matching sizes are prepared. By allowing insertion through only the hole 424a and the hole 416a, the position in the rotational direction can be uniquely determined.

According to such a configuration, it is possible to align the tip portion 415a of the impeller 413 and the recess 422 of one of the lid members 42, which will be described later, at the opposite end of the rotor blade member 41, so that the alignment of both is possible. This makes it easier to assemble and improves ease of assembly.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of one lid member 42. As shown in FIG. FIG. 8 is (a) a plan view of one lid member 42, (b) a side view of one lid member 42, and (c) a bottom view of one lid member 42. One lid member 42 is a member that closes the tip side of the rotor blade member 41 (impeller 413) and rotates together with the rotor blade member 41 (impeller 413) around the axis of the shaft 30 (see FIG. 2). be.

As shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, one lid member 42 includes a lid portion 421 and a shaft portion 423. The lid portion 421 has a disk shape. A plurality of recesses 422 with open outer peripheral edges are formed in a surface 421a of the lid portion 421 facing the tip side of the impeller 413 (hereinafter referred to as the lid surface).

As shown in FIG. 8(a), the plurality of recesses 422 correspond to the tip of the impeller 413 in plan view, that is, the tip 415a of the plurality of blades 415 (see FIG. 6(c)). and are arranged radially. The number of the plurality of recesses 422 is the same as the number of the plurality of blades 415. The tip portions 415a of the plurality of blades 415 fit into the plurality of recesses 422.

Further, as shown in FIG. 8A, the plurality of recesses 422 extend halfway from the outer peripheral edge of the lid surface 421a to the center in plan view. The plurality of recesses 422 do not extend between the plurality of blades 415 and the base end portion 423a of the shaft portion 423. Note that the unstretched recess 422 is one in which the depth of the recess 422 is 0.5 mm or less, and most preferably, it is not recessed at all. Moreover, it is preferable that the plurality of recesses 422 be configured in a curved line when viewed from the bottom so as to correspond to the plurality of blades 415. Therefore, like the plurality of blades 415, the plurality of recesses 422 are similarly curved toward the center of the lid surface 421a.

The shaft portion 423 has a cylindrical shape, has a base end portion 423a fixed to the center of the lid surface 421a in plan view, and is erected on the lid surface 421a. The shaft 30 is inserted into the shaft portion 423 through the shaft hole 425 of the lid portion 421 . Therefore, the shaft portion 423 extends coaxially with the shaft 30. Returning to FIG. 4, as illustrated, the shaft portion 423 includes bearings 423c at both ends in the extending direction. That is, the shaft portion 423 includes one bearing 423c at the base end 423a and the other bearing 423c at the distal end.

According to such a configuration , the shaft 30 can be supported at two points: the shaft portion 423 attached to the rotor blade member 41 and the other cover member 44 which is farthest from there and will be described later. In addition to suppressing inclination, one lid member 42 can be stably rotated around the shaft 30. Further, since the bearings 423c can be provided apart from each other and the shaft can be supported at two points separated by a large distance , the inclination of the shaft 30 can be suppressed more reliably.

Further, the shaft portion 423 extends to at least a position overlapping the magnet 43 (see FIG. 2) in a side view of the rotor 40 (see FIG. 2). Preferably, the shaft portion 423 extends to the other end of the main body 411 of the rotor blade member 41 on the side opposite to the one end where the impeller 413 is disposed. According to such a configuration, the bearings 423c can be provided apart from each other, and the shaft can be supported at two points separated by a large distance , so that the inclination of the shaft 30 can be suppressed more reliably.

Further, the shaft portion 423 includes an engagement portion 424 for positioning with respect to the rotor blade member 41 at the tip portion 423b. The engaging portion 424 is a plurality of (four) protrusions 424a that protrude along the axial direction from the tip portion 423b of the shaft portion 423. By inserting the protrusion 424a into the hole 416a of the positioning part 415, the engaging part 424 can determine the position of one lid member 42 with respect to the impeller 413, and can align the positions of both.

The protruding portion 424a protrudes from the hole 416a of the positioning portion 416, and the rotor blade member 41 and one lid member 42 are integrated with the protruding portion as a fixing portion. Note that, in reality, the protrusion 424a also protrudes from a hole 441 of the other lid member 44, which will be described later, and the protruding portion is used as a fixed portion to attach the rotor blade member 41, one lid member 42, the magnet 43, and the other lid. Member 44 is integrated.

According to such a configuration, since the shaft portion 423 protrudes from the other end of the rotor blade member 41 (main body 411) on the opposite side to the one end side, the protruding portion is welded or otherwise attached to the rotor blade member 41. It can be used to fix one lid member 42. In addition, by fixing the shaft portion 423 at the other end on the opposite side of the rotor blade member 41 (main body 411), for example, one cover member 42 can be attached to the impeller 413 of the rotor blade member 41 (main body 411). The influence on the rotation of the impeller 413 can be suppressed more than in the case where one end of the side is fixed by adhesion or welding.

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of the other lid member 44. FIG. 10 is a plan view of the other lid member 44. The other lid member 44 is attached to the other end (other end surface) of the rotor blade member 41 (see FIG. 3). As shown in FIGS. 9 and 10, the other lid member 44 has a disc shape , and a plurality of (for example, four) lid members arranged on the same circle centering on the shaft hole 441 through which the shaft 30 is inserted. A hole 442a is formed.

The plurality (four) holes 442a are similar to the positioning portion 416 (see FIG. 5) of the rotor blade member 41, and the plurality (four) protrusions 424a (see FIG. 7) of one lid member 42 (see FIG. 7). ) is inserted along the axial direction of the shaft 30, thereby becoming a positioning portion 442 that determines the position of one lid member 42 with respect to the impeller 415.

Next, the aspect of water flow in the faucet generator 10 according to the embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 11 and 12. FIG. 11 is an explanatory diagram of the water flow mode in this example (faucet generator 10). FIG. 12 is an explanatory diagram of the aspect of water flow in a comparative example.

As shown in FIG. 11, in the faucet generator 10, since the blades 415 of the impeller 413 are fitted into the recesses 422 of the lid surface 421a of one lid member 42, the tips 415a of the blades 415 and the recesses 422 The part where the water W is close to each other has a complicated structure in the direction of the flow of the water W, a so-called labyrinth structure. As a result, almost all of the water W flowing toward the impeller 413 collides with the blades 415.

As shown in FIG. 12, in the faucet generator 100 according to the comparative example, the portions where the tips 415a of the blades 415 of the impeller 413 and the recesses 422 are close face each other in planes. Therefore, the water W flowing toward the impeller 413 is not only the water W1 that collides with the blade 415, but also the water W2 that escapes from the gap between the tip 415a of the blade 415 and the lid surface 421a to the rear of the blade 415. Occur.

In this way, according to the embodiment described above, a so-called labyrinth structure is formed in which the space between the tip portion 415a of the blade 415 of the impeller 413 and the lid surface 421a of one of the lid members 42 is intricate, so that the water flow toward the impeller 413 is is difficult to escape to the rear of the blade 415 from between the tip 415a of the blade 415 and the lid surface 421a. Therefore, the water flow efficiently hits the blades 415 of the impeller 413, increasing the conversion efficiency from hydraulic power to electricity. Thereby, power generation efficiency can be increased.

Furthermore, since there is a gap between the blades 415 of the impeller 413 and the base end 423a of the shaft portion 423 through which water can flow, water can flow into the nozzle portion 50 from the gap between each blade 415 and the shaft portion 423. After pushing the blades 415, the water flows around the base end portion 423a of the shaft portion 423 without being retained, so that the impeller 413 can be rotated efficiently. Moreover, the water that has flowed around the base end 423a of the shaft portion 423 pushes the blades 415 again when flowing out from the gaps between the plurality of blades 415 connected to the holes that flow out to the nozzle portion 50 as appropriate. Therefore, the impeller 413 can be rotated more efficiently.

Further, since the tip portion 415a of the blade 415 of the impeller 413 and the corresponding recess 422 of one of the lid members 42 extend to the middle of the substrate 414 or the lid surface 421a in plan view, the area of the recess 422 is small. . Therefore, the tip portion 415a of the blade 415 can be easily fitted into the recess 422.

Note that in the above-described embodiment, the opposing surfaces between the bottom surface of the recess 422 and the tip 415a of the blade 415 are flat in the drawings; The surface may also be formed as a slope. This allows the lateral end of the tip 415a of the blade 415 to more reliably come into contact with the lateral end of the recess 422.

Further advantages and modifications can be easily deduced by those skilled in the art. Therefore, the broader aspects of the invention are not limited to the specific details and representative embodiments shown and described above. Accordingly, various changes may be made without departing from the spirit or scope of the general inventive concept as defined by the appended claims and their equivalents.

10 Faucet generator 20 Water supply pipe 30 shafts
41 Moving blade member 413 Impeller 415 Blade 415a Tip portion 416 Positioning portion 42 Lid member (one lid member)
421a Surface facing the impeller (lid surface)
422 Recessed portion 423 Shaft portion 423a Base end portion 423c Bearing 43 Magnet 50 Nozzle portion

Claims (7)

a water supply pipe having a water supply channel through which water flows from the water supply inlet;
a shaft disposed in the water supply flow path;
a rotor rotatably mounted around the axis of the shaft;
a coil that generates an electromotive force due to the rotation of the magnet of the rotor ;
a nozzle portion having a hole for ejecting water flowing through the water supply flow path from a radially outer direction of the impeller of the rotor in a plane substantially perpendicular to the axis;
The rotor is
a rotor blade member having the impeller rotatable around the axis of the shaft;
a lid member that closes a distal end side of the impeller and rotates integrally with the impeller around the axis of the shaft;
the magnet rotatable integrally with the rotor blade member at an outer peripheral portion of the rotor blade member;
Equipped with
The lid member has, on a surface facing the impeller, a plurality of recesses arranged radially in correspondence with the tip of the impeller in a plan view, into which the tip of each blade of the impeller fits,
The lid member is provided with a shaft portion through which the shaft is inserted in a central portion in a plan view of a surface facing the impeller,
The impeller has a gap between the blade and the base end of the shaft portion, into which water can flow;
The rotor has two bearings spaced apart in a direction in which the shaft portion extends . a water supply pipe having a water supply channel through which water flows from the water supply inlet;
a shaft disposed in the water supply flow path;
a moving blade member having an impeller rotatable around the axis of the shaft;
a lid member that closes a distal end side of the impeller and rotates integrally with the impeller around the axis of the shaft;
a magnet rotatable integrally with the rotor blade member at an outer peripheral portion of the rotor blade member;
a coil that generates an electromotive force due to the rotation of the magnet;
a nozzle portion having a hole for ejecting water flowing through the water supply flow path from a radial direction of the impeller toward the impeller in a plane substantially perpendicular to the axis;
Equipped with
The lid member has, on a surface facing the impeller, a plurality of recesses arranged radially in correspondence with the tip of the impeller in a plan view, into which the tip of each blade of the impeller fits,
The lid member is provided with a shaft portion through which the shaft is inserted in a central portion in a plan view of a surface facing the impeller,
The impeller has a gap between the blade and the base end of the shaft portion, into which water can flow;
The lid member is a faucet generator, wherein the shaft portion protrudes from an end of the rotor blade member opposite to the side where the impeller is disposed, and is fixed at the protruding portion . a water supply pipe having a water supply channel through which water flows from the water supply inlet;
a shaft disposed in the water supply flow path;
a moving blade member having an impeller rotatable around the axis of the shaft;
a lid member that closes a distal end side of the impeller and rotates integrally with the impeller around the axis of the shaft;
a magnet rotatable integrally with the rotor blade member at an outer peripheral portion of the rotor blade member;
a coil that generates an electromotive force due to the rotation of the magnet;
a nozzle portion having a hole for ejecting water flowing through the water supply flow path from a radial direction of the impeller toward the impeller in a plane substantially perpendicular to the axis;
Equipped with
The lid member has, on a surface facing the impeller, a plurality of recesses arranged radially in correspondence with the tip of the impeller in a plan view, into which the tip of each blade of the impeller fits,
The rotor blade member has, at an end portion opposite to the side where the impeller is disposed, a positioning portion that determines mutual positions of the impeller and the lid member . The lid member is provided with a shaft portion through which the shaft is inserted in a central portion in a plan view of a surface facing the impeller,
4. The faucet generator according to claim 3 , wherein the impeller has a gap between the blade and the base end of the shaft portion through which water can flow. 1 . The recessed portion extends halfway from the outer peripheral edge of the surface of the lid member facing the impeller to the center in plan view, and does not extend between the blade and the base end portion. 10 . , 2, 4. The water faucet generator according to any one of . The faucet generator according to claim 1 , wherein the shaft portion extends to at least a position where it overlaps with the magnet in side view, and the bearing is provided at a position where at least overlaps with the magnet in side view. The faucet generator according to claim 1 , wherein the shaft portion extends to an end of the rotor blade member on a side opposite to the side on which the impeller is arranged, in a side view.

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