JP7449682B2 - spray device - Google Patents

Description

The present disclosure relates to a spray device that sprays a mist stream.

Patent Document 1 discloses a spray device for providing a relaxing effect to a bather. This spray device is equipped with an illuminator in addition to a plurality of mist nozzles that eject a mist stream in order to improve the performance effect.

Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2008-161323

Patent Document 1 does not disclose anything regarding the irradiation range of illumination light. The inventor of the present application has recognized that there is room for improvement regarding the technology disclosed in Patent Document 1 in order to further improve the performance effect.

One of the objects of the present disclosure is to provide a technique that can improve the presentation effect in a spray device.

An embodiment of the present disclosure for solving the above-mentioned problems is a spray device. A spray device in one embodiment includes a mist nozzle that sprays a mist flow, and an illuminator that irradiates illumination light to a spray range of the mist nozzle.

FIG. 1 is a side sectional view schematically showing a usage scene of the spray system of the embodiment. FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram of a spray system according to an embodiment. It is a side sectional view of the spray device of an embodiment. It is a bottom view of the spray device of an embodiment. FIG. 3 is a side cross-sectional view schematically showing an injection range and an irradiation range of the embodiment. 5 is a diagram showing details of the AA cross section in FIG. 5. FIG. 6 is a diagram showing details of the BB cross section in FIG. 5. FIG. It is an explanatory view showing typically how an irradiation range lights up in an embodiment. This is a photograph showing a specific example of how the irradiation range shines.

Embodiments will be described below. Identical components are given the same reference numerals and redundant explanations will be omitted. In each drawing, constituent elements are omitted, enlarged, or reduced as appropriate for convenience of explanation. The drawings should be viewed according to the direction of the symbols. Structures referred to in this specification include not only structures that exactly match the referenced structures, but also structures that are deviated by errors such as dimensional errors and manufacturing errors.

Please refer to FIG. The spray system 10 of this embodiment is used for bathroom equipment. The spray system 10 includes a spray device 12 . The spray device 12 includes a plurality of mist nozzles 14 that spray a mist stream, and an illuminator 16 that emits illumination light. FIG. 1 shows a spray range S1 of the mist nozzle 14 and an irradiation range S2 of the illuminator 16. The irradiation range S2 may be indicated by a solid line for convenience of explanation. Details of the spray device 12 will be described later.

See FIG. 2. The spray system 10 includes a water supply channel 18 that supplies water from a water source to the mist nozzle 14 . The water source is, for example, a water supply, a water tank, or the like. Water whose temperature has been adjusted may be supplied to the water supply channel 18 through a temperature adjustment valve. The water supply channel 18 includes a common water channel 20 provided on the upstream side of the water supply channel 18 and a plurality of water channels 22 provided on the downstream side of the common water channel 20 in the water supply channel 18 . The plural water channels 22 branch from the common water channel 20. Water supplied from the water source is supplied to each of the plurality of water passages 22 through the common water channel 20. The plurality of water passages 22 correspond to each of the plurality of mist nozzles 14, and supply water to the corresponding mist nozzles 14.

The spray system 10 includes an on-off valve 24 that can open and close the water supply channel 18 . The on-off valve 24 of this embodiment can open and close the common water channel 20 of the water supply channel 18 . The on-off valve 24 is an electrically driven valve such as a solenoid valve or an electric valve.

The spray system 10 includes a control device 26 that controls the spray device 12 and the on-off valve 24 . The control device 26 is a computer that combines hardware such as a CPU, ROM, and RAM and software such as programs. The control device 26 controls the spray device 12 and the on-off valve 24 according to a preset program.

The control device 26 can control the opening/closing state of the on-off valve 24. When the on-off valve 24 is in an open state that opens the water supply channel 18, water is supplied to the mist nozzle 14 through the water supply channel 18, and the mist nozzle 14 enters an injection state in which it sprays a mist stream. When the on-off valve 24 is in the closed state to close the water supply channel 18, the water supply to the mist nozzle 14 is stopped, and the mist nozzle 14 enters a stopped state in which the injection operation is stopped.

The control device 26 is capable of controlling the illuminator 16 of the spray device 12 . Specifically, the control device 26 can switch between a lighting state in which the illuminator 16 irradiates illumination light and a non-lighting state in which the irradiation operation is stopped.

The control device 26 can execute the mist irradiation mode by controlling the spray device 12 and the on-off valve 24. The mist irradiation mode is a mode in which the mist nozzle 14 ejects a mist stream and at the same time, the illuminator 16 irradiates illumination light. The mist irradiation mode is realized by opening the on-off valve 24, switching the mist nozzle 14 to an injection state, and switching to a lighting state in which illumination light is emitted from the illuminator 16.

The control device 26 starts executing the mist irradiation mode when a predetermined starting condition is satisfied. The starting condition is, for example, acquiring an execution command for the mist irradiation mode. The execution command is input to the control device 26 through, for example, a user's operation on an operation unit (not shown). The operation unit is, for example, a push button, a non-contact sensor, a touch panel, or the like. The control device 26 stops execution of the mist irradiation mode when a predetermined stop condition is met. The predetermined stop condition is, for example, that an execution command similar to the start condition is input.

Refer to FIGS. 3 and 4. The spray device 12 includes a fixing member 30 fixed to the external structure 28 and a nozzle holder 32 holding a plurality of mist nozzles 14. The external structure 28 of this embodiment is a ceiling part that forms the ceiling surface of the indoor space 34. The plurality of mist nozzles 14 are fixed to a fixing member 30 via a nozzle holder 32.

The mist nozzle 14 is capable of generating mist using water supplied from the water supply channel 18 and injecting the generated mist as a mist stream. The mist flow here refers to a flow of multiple mist. The mist nozzle 14 of this embodiment is a single fluid nozzle. In addition to this, the mist nozzle 14 may be a two-fluid nozzle.

The mist nozzle 14 includes a nozzle hole 14a that opens on the outer surface of the mist nozzle 14. The mist nozzle 14 is capable of ejecting a mist flow within an ejection range S1 that extends radially from the nozzle hole 14a around the central axis CL1 of the nozzle hole 14a. The mist nozzle 14 of this embodiment injects a mist flow in a conical shape, more specifically, in a cone-shaped spray range S1. This "injection range S1" refers to the range through which the mist flow passes, assuming that the mist flow travels linearly from the time it leaves the nozzle hole 14a until it hits the fixed structure 36. This injection range S1 is based on the assumption that a constant flow rate of water is injected from the mist nozzle 14. This "fixed structure 36" is located at a position exposed to the indoor space 34, and serves as a floor in this embodiment.

The illuminator 16 includes a main body 38 fixed to the fixing member 30, and a light source 40 that is fixed to the main body 38 and emits light as illumination light. The light source 40 is an LED, an incandescent bulb, or the like. The illuminator 16 includes an irradiation surface 42 that emits the light emitted by the light source 40 as illumination light. The irradiation surface 42 is provided on the outer surface of the illuminator 16. The irradiation surface 42 of this embodiment is provided on the lower surface of the illuminator 16. An irradiation port 44 for irradiating illumination light is opened in the irradiation surface 42 of the embodiment. The illuminator 16 includes an internal space 16a provided on the opposite side of the illumination port 44 from the illumination light irradiation direction Pc. The light source 40 is arranged in the interior space 16a of the illuminator 16. The light source 40 is arranged on the back side of the irradiation port 44 when viewed from the external space outside the illuminator 16.

The illuminator 16 of this embodiment includes a reflector 46 that reflects the direct light emitted by the light source 40. The irradiation surface 42 irradiates the light reflected by the reflector 46 toward the irradiation port 44 side as illumination light. The reflector 46 has a cup shape whose inner diameter gradually increases toward the irradiation port 44 side.

The illuminator 16 of this embodiment includes a cone 48 through which light reflected by the reflector 46 passes. The cone 48 of this embodiment also serves as a part of the main body 38. Cone 48 is used to make light source 40 less visible to the bather. An irradiation port 44 is formed at the end of the cone 48 in the axial direction. The cone 48 is formed so that its inner diameter gradually increases toward the irradiation port 44 side.

The illuminator 16 described above irradiates illumination light from the irradiation surface 42 (in this embodiment, the irradiation port 44), with the irradiation range S2 being a range that extends radially around the optical axis CL2. The optical axis CL2 here refers to the central axis of the luminous flux of illumination light. The illuminator 16 of this embodiment emits illumination light in a cone shape, more specifically, with an irradiation range S2 extending in a cone shape. This "irradiation range S2" refers to the range through which the entire luminous flux of the illumination light passes from when it exits the irradiation surface 42 until it hits the fixed structure 36.

The spray device 12 includes a nozzle surface 50 on which a plurality of mist nozzles 14 are provided. The nozzle surface 50 is provided in an annular shape around the irradiation surface 42 when viewed from the optical axis direction Pa of the irradiation light. The optical axis direction Pa here refers to the direction along the optical axis CL2 of illumination light. FIG. 4 is also a diagram viewed from the optical axis direction Pa of the illumination light. The irradiation surface 42 and the nozzle surface 50 of this embodiment are provided flush with the inner wall surface of the ceiling.

The plurality of mist nozzles 14 are arranged on both sides of the optical axis CL2 of the illumination light in one direction Pd parallel to the virtual plane S0 (see also FIG. 3) orthogonal to the optical axis CL2. The paper surface of FIG. 4 shows the virtual plane S0. A virtual plane passing through the optical axis CL2, parallel to the optical axis CL2, and orthogonal to the direction Pd is referred to as Sa. At this time, individual mist nozzles 14 are provided on both sides of the direction Pd with respect to the virtual plane Sa.

The plurality of mist nozzles 14 of this embodiment are arranged in a ring shape so as to surround the optical axis CL2 of the illumination light when viewed from the optical axis direction Pa of the illumination light. It can also be said that the plurality of mist nozzles 14 are arranged in a ring shape around the irradiation surface 42 so as to surround the irradiation surface 42 . In this embodiment, a total of 16 mist nozzles 14 are used.

In this embodiment, the spray direction Pb of the mist nozzle 14 and the irradiation direction Pc of the illuminator 16 are set downward. This means that the injection direction Pb and the irradiation direction Pc are set in the same direction. The illuminator 16 functions as a downlight that emits illumination light downward. The "spray direction Pb" refers to one direction along the central axis CL1 of the nozzle hole 14a of the mist nozzle 14, and the "irradiation direction Pc" refers to a direction away from the illuminator 16 in the optical axis direction Pa. In this specification, "the same direction" refers to an angle between an axis parallel to one direction and an axis parallel to the other direction being within 45 degrees.

In this embodiment, the injection direction Pb and the irradiation direction Pc are set to match. In this specification, "coincidence" includes not only the case where the axis parallel to one direction and the axis parallel to the other direction literally coincide, but also the case where they almost coincide. The jetting directions Pb of the plurality of mist nozzles 14 are set to be the same. The jetting directions Pb of the plurality of mist nozzles 14 in this embodiment are set to match.

Please refer to FIGS. 5 to 7. The illuminator 16 irradiates the spray range S1 of the mist nozzle 14 with illumination light. In this embodiment, the optical axis CL2 of the illumination light in the illuminator 16 is set to pass through the spray range S1 of the mist nozzle 14.

The combined range of the injection ranges S1 of the plurality of mist nozzles 14 is referred to as a total injection range S3. The injection range S1 of the plurality of mist nozzles 14 is set to form a continuous portion 52 that is continuous over the entire circumference around the optical axis CL2 of the illumination light in the total injection range S3. In this embodiment, the continuous portion 52 is formed in a range from a position spaced apart from the irradiation surface 42 in the irradiation direction Pc to the fixed structure 36.

The injection range S1 of the plurality of mist nozzles 14 is set to form a hollow region 54 and a solid region 56 at the continuous location 52. The hollow region 54 is a region in which a hollow space 58 surrounded by the spray range S1 of each mist nozzle 14 is provided. The solid region 56 is solid in a range including the optical axis CL2 of the illumination light, and is a region in which the hollow space 58 is not provided. The hollow region 54 is provided on the illuminator 16 side in the optical axis direction Pa. The solid region 56 is provided on the opposite side of the illuminator 16 with the hollow region 54 in between in the optical axis direction Pa.

The illuminator 16 is arranged at a position where it can irradiate illumination light onto the total spray range S3 of the mist nozzle 14 from inside. It can also be said that the illuminator 16 is not arranged at a position where it can irradiate illumination light onto the total ejection range S3 of the mist nozzle 14 from the outer peripheral side. Here, "inside the total injection range S3" refers to the hollow space 58 side in a cross section (for example, the cross section in FIG. 6) perpendicular to the optical axis CL2 of the illumination light.

The irradiation range S2 of the illumination light is set so as to fall within the outer circumferential contour 60 of the total injection range S3 at continuous locations 52 of the total injection range S3. This means that the irradiation range S2 of the illumination light does not protrude outward from the outer peripheral contour 60 of the total injection range S3 in this continuous portion 52. To realize this, as described above, the spray direction Pb of the mist nozzle 14 and the irradiation direction Pc of the illuminator 16 are set to match.

The effects of the above points will be explained. Refer to FIGS. 8 and 9. FIG. 8 is also a schematic diagram of the total injection range S3 of the mist nozzle 14 viewed from the outer circumferential side. The spray device 12 includes an illuminator 16 that irradiates the spray range S1 of the mist nozzle 14 with illumination light. Illumination light is diffused by the mist flow in the spray range S1 of the mist nozzle 14. Thereby, the irradiation range S2 of the illumination light shines in such a way that it gradually becomes lighter in the irradiation direction Pc at the location A1 overlapping with the spray range S1 of the mist nozzle 14. As a result, it is possible to provide a unique visual effect with shading, and it is possible to improve the production effect.

The plurality of mist nozzles 14 are arranged on both sides of the optical axis CL2 of the illumination light in a direction Pd orthogonal to the optical axis CL2, when viewed from the optical axis direction Pa of the illumination light. Thereby, when the total ejection range S3 of the mist nozzle 14 is viewed from the outside, it becomes easier to cause the mist flow to exist in the optical path of the illumination light from the illuminator 16 to the user's eyeball. Accordingly, the illumination light can be diffused by the mist flow on the optical path, and the glare caused by the illumination light can be reduced.

The injection range S1 of the plurality of mist nozzles 14 is set so as to form a continuous portion 52 that is continuous over the entire circumference around the optical axis CL2 of the illumination light in the total injection range S3. Thereby, when the total ejection range S3 of the mist nozzle 14 is viewed from the outside, a mist flow can be caused to exist in the optical path from the inside of the continuous portion 52 to the user's eyeball. Accordingly, the illumination light can be diffused by the mist flow on the optical path, and the glare caused by the illumination light can be further reduced.

The irradiation range S2 of the illumination light is set so as to fall within the outer circumferential contour 60 of the total injection range S3 at continuous locations 52 of the total injection range S3. Thereby, the location A1 where the total spray range S3 of the mist nozzle 14 and the irradiation range S2 of the illumination light overlap can be illuminated strongly. At the same time, the area A2 near the outer peripheral contour 60 in the total ejection range S3 of the mist nozzle 14 can be illuminated weakly by the diffused light that is diffused by the illumination light hitting the mist flow. As a result, a unique visual effect can be obtained in which the weakly shining area A2 in the mist flow surrounds the strongly shining area A1 (see also FIG. 9).

The injection range S1 of the plurality of mist nozzles 14 is set to form a solid region 56 at a continuous portion 52 of the total injection range S3. As a result, when the user is exposed to the mist flow in the illumination light irradiation direction Pc from the solid region 56 of the total injection range S3, the mist flow is made to exist in the optical path of the illumination light from the illuminator 16 to the user's eyeballs. Can be done. Accordingly, the illumination light can be diffused by such a mist flow on the optical path. Therefore, even when the user faces the illuminator 16 when being exposed to the mist stream, the glare felt by the illumination light can be reduced.

The plurality of mist nozzles 14 are arranged in a ring shape so as to surround the optical axis of the illumination light. Thereby, when the total ejection range S3 of the mist nozzle 14 is viewed from the outside, it becomes easier to cause the mist flow to exist in the optical path of the illumination light from the illuminator 16 to the user's eyeball. Accordingly, the glare caused by illumination light can be further reduced.

In addition, a wide range of the total ejection range S3 of the mist nozzle 14 can be irradiated with common illumination light. Therefore, the number of light sources 40 that illuminate a wide range of the total spray range S3 of the mist nozzles 14 can be reduced compared to the case where the illuminator 16 is arranged on the outer peripheral side of the plurality of mist nozzles 14 arranged in an annular manner. The light source 40 wears out more easily than the mist nozzle 14 and requires periodic replacement. Good maintainability can be achieved by reducing the number of light sources 40 that are subject to such frequent replacement.

Other points of improvement of the above spray device 12 will be explained. See FIG. 3. The light source 40 is provided at a position higher than the opening position Pe of the nozzle hole 14a of the mist nozzle 14. The light source 40 of this embodiment is provided at a position higher than the opening positions Pe of the nozzle holes 14a of all the mist nozzles 14. It can also be said that the light source 40 is provided at a higher position than the nozzle surface 50. The high position here refers to being located above in the vertical direction.

This makes it difficult for the mist flow ejected from the nozzle hole 14a of the mist nozzle 14 to hit the light source 40, making it difficult for water droplets to adhere to the light source 40. Accordingly, it is possible to avoid a situation in which the illumination light is scattered due to adhesion of water droplets, and it is possible to stably irradiate the ejection range S1 of the mist nozzle 14 with the illumination light.

The light source 40 is arranged in the interior space 16a of the illuminator 16. Therefore, compared to the case where the light source 40 is arranged outside the irradiation port 44, it becomes difficult for the mist flow jetted from the nozzle hole 14a of the mist nozzle 14 to reach the arrangement position of the light source 40, and it becomes difficult for water droplets to adhere to the light source 40. Become. Accordingly, it is possible to avoid a situation in which the illumination light is scattered due to adhesion of water droplets, and it is possible to stably irradiate the ejection range S1 of the mist nozzle 14 with the illumination light.

Other modifications of each component will be explained.

The ejection direction Pb of the mist nozzle 14 and the irradiation direction Pc of the illuminator 16 are not particularly limited. These may be oriented horizontally, for example.

The number of mist nozzles 14 is not particularly limited. For example, the number of mist nozzles 14 may be either one or two. The arrangement positions of the plurality of mist nozzles 14 are not particularly limited. This means that the plurality of mist nozzles 14 do not need to be arranged so as to surround the optical axis CL2 of the illumination light when viewed from the optical axis direction Pa of the illumination light.

The injection range S1 of the plurality of mist nozzles 14 may be set so as to form only the hollow region 54 in the total injection range S3 of the mist nozzles 14. This means that it is not essential to form the solid region 56 in the total spray range S3 of the mist nozzle 14.

The illuminator 16 only needs to be able to illuminate the spray range S1 of the mist nozzle 14, and its specific configuration is not particularly limited. For example, the illumination surface 42 of the illuminator 16 may be formed by the light source 40 itself.

The light source 40 of the illuminator 16 may be provided at the same position in the vertical direction as the opening position Pe of the nozzle hole 14a of the mist nozzle 14, or may be provided at a position lower than the opening position Pe. .

The illuminator 16 may emit illumination light from the irradiation surface 42, with an irradiation range S2 extending linearly parallel to the optical axis CL2. The irradiation range S2 of the illumination light may be set so as to protrude outward from the outer circumferential contour 60 of the total spray range S3 at continuous locations 52 of the total spray range S3 of the mist nozzle 14.

The arrangement positions of the irradiation surface 42 and the nozzle surface 50 are not particularly limited. These may be arranged, for example, at positions spaced apart from the inner wall surface forming the indoor space 34.

The embodiments and modifications have been described above in detail. In understanding the technical idea that abstracts the embodiment and the modified example, the technical idea should not be interpreted to be limited to the content of the embodiment and the modified example. The embodiments and modifications described above are merely specific examples. The content of the embodiments and modifications may be subject to many design changes such as changes, additions, and deletions of constituent elements. In the embodiments described above, the content that allows such design changes is emphasized by adding the notation "embodiment". However, design changes are allowed even if there is no such notation. The hatching added to the cross section of the drawing does not limit the material of the hatched object. Any combination of the above components is also effective. For example, any description of the modification may be combined with the embodiment.

S1... Spray range, S2... Irradiation range, S3... Total spray range, CL2... Optical axis, 12... Spray device, 14... Mist nozzle, 14a... Nozzle hole, 16... Illuminator, 16a... Internal space, 40... Light source, 44...Irradiation port, 52...Continuous location, 56...Solid area, 60...Outer peripheral contour.

Claims (6)

a plurality of mist nozzles that spray a mist stream;
an illuminator that irradiates illumination light to the ejection range of the plurality of mist nozzles ;
The plurality of mist nozzles are arranged on both sides of the optical axis of the illumination light in one direction parallel to a virtual plane perpendicular to the optical axis ,
The plurality of mist nozzles are capable of ejecting a mist flow with an ejection range extending radially from the nozzle hole,
When the combined range of the spray ranges of the plurality of mist nozzles is referred to as the total spray range, the spray range of the plurality of mist nozzles is the range covering the entire circumference around the optical axis of the illumination light in the total spray range. A spray device configured to form a series of successive spots. The spray device according to claim 1 , wherein the irradiation range of the illumination light is set to fall within the outer peripheral contour of the total spray range in the continuous locations. 3. The spraying range of the plurality of mist nozzles is set to form a solid area including the optical axis at the continuous location. Spraying device. The spray device according to any one of claims 1 to 3 , wherein the plurality of mist nozzles are arranged in a ring shape so as to surround the optical axis of the illumination light when viewed from the optical axis direction of the illumination light. The illuminator includes a light source that emits light that becomes the illumination light,
The spray device according to any one of claims 1 to 4 , wherein the light source is provided at a position higher than an opening position of a nozzle hole of the mist nozzle. The illuminator includes a light source that emits light as the illumination light, an irradiation port that irradiates the light emitted by the light source as the illumination light, and a side opposite to the direction in which the illumination light is irradiated with respect to the irradiation port. an internal space provided in the
The spray device according to any one of claims 1 to 5 , wherein the light source is arranged in the internal space.

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