WO2024116800A1

WO2024116800A1 - Liquid circulation device

Info

Publication number: WO2024116800A1
Application number: PCT/JP2023/040669
Authority: WO
Inventors: 聡司上原; 晃希成畑
Original assignee: パナソニックＩｐマネジメント株式会社
Priority date: 2022-11-30
Filing date: 2023-11-13
Publication date: 2024-06-06

Abstract

A liquid circulation device (2) comprising: an accommodation member (6) that is removably attached to a main body (4), with an accommodation space (14) for accommodating a liquid and a flow passage (20) for allowing the liquid to flow between the accommodation space (14) and the main body (4) being formed in said accommodation member (6); a valve body (26) that can be displaced between an open position, in which the same communicates the accommodation space (14) and the flow passage (20), and a closed position, in which the same shuts off the accommodation space (14) and the flow passage (20) from one another; a first magnet (28) that is positioned in the valve body (26); a second magnet (30) that is positioned in the accommodation member (6) and can rotate relative to the first magnet (28); and a third magnet (32) that is positioned in the main body (4).

Description

Liquid Distribution Device

The present disclosure relates to a liquid distribution device for distributing liquid between the inside and outside of a container member.

A liquid distribution device for distributing liquid between the inside and outside of a storage member is known (see, for example, Patent Document 1). This type of liquid distribution device includes a main body, a storage member that is detachably attached to the main body, and a valve body for opening and closing a through hole formed in the bottom of the storage member. The valve body is movable between a closed position that blocks the through hole and an open position that opens the through hole. The valve body is also biased in the direction from the open position toward the closed position by a coil spring.

When the storage member is removed from the main body, the valve body is held in the closed position by the biasing force of the coil spring. This causes the liquid in the storage member to be sealed by the valve body. When the storage member is attached to the main body, the valve body moves from the closed position to the open position against the biasing force of the coil spring by a mechanism for pushing up the coil spring. This allows the liquid in the storage member to be supplied to the main body through the through hole.

JP 2008-95988 A

In the conventional liquid distribution device described above, in order to reliably seal the liquid in the containing member with the valve body, it is necessary to increase the length of the coil spring and the spring constant of the coil spring. However, this requires the length of the valve body to be increased, which creates the problem of the liquid distribution device becoming larger.

The present disclosure provides a liquid distribution device that can be made compact.

A liquid flow device according to one aspect of the present disclosure includes a storage member that is detachably attached to a main body, the storage member having a storage space for storing liquid and a flow path for flowing liquid between the storage space and the outside, a valve body that is displaceable between an open position that connects the storage space with the flow path and a closed position that blocks the storage space with the flow path, a first magnet arranged on the valve body, a second magnet that is arranged on the storage member and rotatable relative to the first magnet, and a third magnet arranged on the main body, and when the storage member is attached to the main body, When the second magnet is removed from the main body, the second magnet rotates due to the magnetic force from the third magnet, and the magnetic pole of the second magnet facing the first magnet is reversed, so that the valve body is displaced from the closed position to the open position using the magnetic force between the first magnet and the second magnet, and when the storage member is removed from the main body, the second magnet rotates due to the magnetic force from the first magnet, and the magnetic pole of the second magnet facing the first magnet is reversed, so that the valve body is displaced from the open position to the closed position using the magnetic force between the first magnet and the second magnet.

Note that this comprehensive or specific aspect may be realized by an apparatus or a method, or by any combination of an apparatus and a method.

The liquid distribution device according to one aspect of the present disclosure can be made smaller.

1 is a perspective view showing a liquid flowing device according to a first embodiment; 2 is a cross-sectional view of the liquid flowing device according to the first embodiment taken along line II-II in FIG. 4 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of the valve mechanism of the liquid flow device according to the first embodiment in a state in which the containing member is detached from the main body. FIG. 4 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of the valve mechanism of the liquid flow device according to the first embodiment in a state immediately before the containing member is attached to the main body. FIG. 4 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of the valve mechanism of the liquid flow device according to the first embodiment in a state in which the containing member is attached to the main body. FIG. 13 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of a valve mechanism of a liquid flow device according to a modified example of the first embodiment. FIG. FIG. 11 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of a valve mechanism of a liquid flow device according to a second embodiment. FIG. 11 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of a valve mechanism of a liquid flow device according to a third embodiment. 13 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of a valve mechanism of a liquid flow device according to a fourth embodiment in a state in which the containing member is detached from the main body. FIG. 13 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of a valve mechanism of a liquid flow device according to a fourth embodiment in a state in which a container member is attached to a main body. FIG. FIG. 13 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of a valve mechanism of a liquid flow device according to a fifth embodiment.

A liquid flow device according to a first aspect of the present disclosure includes a storage member that is removably attached to a main body, the storage member having a storage space for storing liquid and a flow path for circulating liquid between the storage space and the outside, a valve body that is displaceable between an open position that connects the storage space with the flow path and a closed position that blocks the storage space with the flow path, a first magnet arranged on the valve body, a second magnet that is arranged on the storage member and is rotatable relative to the first magnet, and a third magnet arranged on the main body, and the storage member is attached to the main body. When the container is removed from the main body, the second magnet rotates due to the magnetic force from the third magnet, and the magnetic pole of the second magnet facing the first magnet is reversed, so that the valve body is displaced from the closed position to the open position using the magnetic force between the first magnet and the second magnet. When the container is removed from the main body, the second magnet rotates due to the magnetic force from the first magnet, and the magnetic pole of the second magnet facing the first magnet is reversed, so that the valve body is displaced from the open position to the closed position using the magnetic force between the first magnet and the second magnet.

According to this embodiment, the valve body uses the magnetic force between the first magnet and the second magnet to move between the closed position and the open position in conjunction with the attachment and detachment of the container member to the main body. This eliminates the need for a mechanism to push up the coil spring as explained in the Background Art section, making it possible to miniaturize the liquid distribution device.

Furthermore, in the liquid distribution device according to the second aspect of the present disclosure, in the first aspect, the distance between the second magnet and the third magnet may be configured to be shorter than the distance between the first magnet and the second magnet when the storage member is attached to the main body.

According to this embodiment, when the storage member is attached to the main body, the second magnet is more easily affected by the magnetic force from the third magnet, so the second magnet can be easily rotated.

Furthermore, in the liquid flow device according to the third aspect of the present disclosure, in the first or second aspect, the third magnet may be configured to be an electromagnet.

According to this embodiment, the magnetic pole of the third magnet that faces the second magnet can be easily controlled.

Furthermore, in the liquid distribution device according to the fourth aspect of the present disclosure, in the first or second aspect, the third magnet is rotatable relative to the second magnet, and the liquid distribution device may further be configured to include a drive source that rotates the third magnet so that the magnetic poles of the third magnet facing the second magnet are reversed.

Furthermore, in the liquid distribution device according to the fifth aspect of the present disclosure, in any one of the first to fourth aspects, when the storage member is attached to the main body, the first magnet, the second magnet, and the third magnet may be configured not to be arranged in a straight line.

According to this embodiment, the second magnet can be rotated more reliably when the housing member is attached to the main body.

Furthermore, in the liquid flow device according to the sixth aspect of the present disclosure, in any one of the first to fifth aspects, the containing member may further be formed with a space for a valve body disposed between the containing space and the flow path, the valve body may be slidable between the open position and the closed position in the space for the valve body, a recess may be formed on the side of the valve body, and when the valve body slides from the closed position to the open position, a part of the recess protrudes into the containing space, thereby communicating the containing space and the flow path via the recess, and when the valve body slides from the open position to the closed position, the recess retracts into the space for the valve body, thereby blocking the containing space and the flow path.

In this embodiment, the valve body slides between the open and closed positions, making it easy to switch between communication and blocking between the storage space and the flow path.

Furthermore, in the liquid flow device according to the seventh aspect of the present disclosure, in any one of the first to fifth aspects, the storage member may have a bearing portion that supports the valve body so that the valve body can tilt, and the valve body may be configured to be able to tilt between the open position and the closed position around the bearing portion in the storage space.

In this embodiment, the valve body can be tilted between the open and closed positions, allowing easy switching between communication and blocking between the storage space and the flow path.

Furthermore, in the liquid flow device according to the eighth aspect of the present disclosure, in any one of the first to seventh aspects, the flow path may be configured to allow liquid to flow between the storage space and the main body when the valve body is in the open position.

According to this embodiment, liquid can flow between the storage space of the storage member and the main body.

Furthermore, in the liquid flow device according to the ninth aspect of the present disclosure, in any one of the first to seventh aspects, when the valve body is in the open position, the flow path may be configured to allow liquid to flow between the storage space and a storage member other than the storage member.

According to this embodiment, liquid can flow between the storage space of the storage member and other storage members other than the storage member.

Note that these comprehensive or specific aspects may be realized by an apparatus or a method, or by any combination of an apparatus and a method.

The following describes the embodiment with reference to the drawings.

The embodiments described below are all comprehensive or specific examples. The numerical values, shapes, materials, components, component placement and connection forms, steps, and order of steps shown in the following embodiments are merely examples and are not intended to limit the scope of the claims. Furthermore, among the components in the following embodiments, components that are not described in an independent claim that indicates the highest concept are described as optional components. Furthermore, each figure is not necessarily a strict illustration. In each figure, substantially identical configurations are given the same reference numerals, and duplicate explanations are omitted or simplified.

(Embodiment 1)
[1-1. Configuration of liquid distribution device]
First, the configuration of a liquid flowing device 2 according to embodiment 1 will be described with reference to Figures 1 to 3. Figure 1 is a perspective view showing the liquid flowing device 2 according to embodiment 1. Figure 2 is a cross-sectional view of the liquid flowing device 2 according to embodiment 1 taken along line II-II in Figure 1. Figure 3 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of the valve mechanism 24 of the liquid flowing device 2 according to embodiment 1 with the containing member 6 removed from the main body 4.

1 to 3, the left-right direction of the liquid flow device 2 is the X-axis direction, the front-rear direction of the liquid flow device 2 is the Y-axis direction, and the up-down direction of the liquid flow device 2 is the Z-axis direction. In the following description, the positive side of the Z-axis is referred to as "top" or "upper side", etc., and the negative side of the Z-axis is referred to as "bottom" or "lower side", etc.

In this embodiment, the liquid distribution device 2 is used, for example, as a humidifier for humidifying a room. The humidifier includes a housing (not shown), the liquid distribution device 2, and a main body 4. The liquid distribution device 2 includes a storage member 6 for supplying water (an example of a liquid) to the main body 4, which is outside the liquid distribution device 2. The liquid distribution device 2 may include the main body 4 as a component.

The liquid distribution device 2 and the main body 4 are housed inside the housing of the humidifier. An outlet for blowing out vaporized water for humidification is located at the top end of the housing.

The main body 4 is an evaporation unit for evaporating water, for example. The main body 4 has an attachment portion 8, a water guide tube 10, and an evaporation portion (not shown). The attachment portion 8 is disposed at the upper end of the main body 4. The bottom portion 12 of the storage member 6 is detachably attached to the attachment portion 8. The water guide tube 10 is a pipe for guiding water supplied from the bottom portion 12 of the storage member 6 to the evaporation portion. One end of the water guide tube 10 opens from the upper surface of the attachment portion 8 to the outside of the attachment portion 8. An O-ring 13 is disposed on the outer periphery of the one end of the water guide tube 10. The other end of the water guide tube 10 is connected to the evaporation portion. The evaporation portion generates evaporated water by vaporizing the water guided through the water guide tube 10. The evaporated water generated in the evaporation portion is supplied to the outlet of the housing.

The storage member 6 is a container for storing water, for example. A storage space 14 for storing water is formed inside the storage member 6. A water inlet 16 that communicates with the storage space 14 is formed at the upper end of the storage member 6. As shown in FIG. 3, a valve body space 18 for arranging a valve body 26 (described later) and a flow path 20 for circulating water between the storage space 14 and the main body 4 are formed at the bottom 12 of the storage member 6. The upper end of the valve body space 18 opens to the storage space 14, and the lower end of the valve body space 18 is closed. In addition, a wall portion 22 that protrudes in an annular shape toward the radial inside of the valve body space 18 is formed on the inner circumferential surface of the valve body space 18. The flow path 20 extends from the inner circumferential surface of the wall portion 22 to the lower surface of the bottom 12 of the storage member 6. That is, one end of the flow passage 20 opens from the inner peripheral surface of the wall portion 22 into the valve body space 18, and the other end of the flow passage 20 opens from the lower surface of the bottom portion 12 of the housing member 6 to the outside of the housing member 6. As shown in FIG. 5 described later, when the bottom portion 12 of the housing member 6 is attached to the mounting portion 8 of the main body 4, the other end of the flow passage 20 is connected to one end of the water guide tube 10 of the main body 4. At this time, the gap between the other end of the flow passage 20 and the one end of the water guide tube 10 is sealed (watertight) by an O-ring 13.

The bottom 12 of the storage member 6 is detachable from the mounting portion 8 of the main body 4. When the bottom 12 of the storage member 6 is attached to the mounting portion 8 of the main body 4, the valve body 26 connects the storage space 14 to the flow path 20, and water in the storage space 14 is supplied to the water conduit 10 of the main body 4 through the flow path 20. On the other hand, when the bottom 12 of the storage member 6 is removed from the mounting portion 8 of the main body 4, the valve body 26 blocks the storage space 14 from the flow path 20, sealing off the water in the storage space 14. In this state, the storage member 6 can be carried, and water can be poured into the storage space 14 through the water inlet 16 of the storage member 6.

The liquid flow device 2 further includes a valve mechanism 24 for switching communication between the storage space 14 of the storage member 6 and the flow path 20 and blocking communication in response to the attachment and detachment of the storage member 6 to the main body 4. The valve mechanism 24 includes a valve body 26, a first magnet 28, a second magnet 30, and a third magnet 32.

The valve body 26 is disposed in the valve body space 18 of the housing member 6. The valve body 26 is displaceable between a closed position (position shown in FIG. 3) and an open position (position shown in FIG. 5, described later) in the valve body space 18. Specifically, the valve body 26 is guided along the inner peripheral surface of the valve body space 18 and is capable of sliding up and down between the closed position and the open position. The closed position is the lowest position in the valve body space 18, and the open position is the highest position in the valve body space 18. When the valve body 26 is in the closed position, the housing space 14 of the housing member 6 and the flow path 20 are blocked. On the other hand, when the valve body 26 is in the open position, the housing space 14 of the housing member 6 and the flow path 20 are connected.

The valve body 26 has a main body 34, an upper flange 36, and a lower flange 38. The main body 34 is formed in a generally cylindrical shape, and a recess 40 is formed in the side of the main body 34. The upper flange 36 protrudes radially outward from the upper end of the main body 34 in an annular shape. An O-ring 42 is disposed at the boundary between the upper flange 36 and the outer circumferential surface of the main body 34. The lower flange 38 protrudes radially outward from the lower end of the main body 34 in an annular shape. An O-ring 44 is disposed at the boundary between the lower flange 38 and the outer circumferential surface of the main body 34.

The first magnet 28 is, for example, a permanent magnet. An N magnetized portion 28n magnetized to an N pole is formed at one end of the first magnet 28, and an S magnetized portion 28s magnetized to an S pole is formed at the other end of the first magnet 28. The first magnet 28 is fixed inside the valve body 26. Specifically, the first magnet 28 is arranged so that the N magnetized portion 28n faces upward (the side opposite the main body 4) and the S magnetized portion 28s faces downward (toward the main body 4). Note that the orientation of the magnetic poles of the first magnet 28 is not limited to this, and the first magnet 28 may be arranged so that the N magnetized portion 28n faces downward and the S magnetized portion 28s faces upward.

The second magnet 30 is, for example, a permanent magnet. An N magnetized portion 30n magnetized to the N pole is formed at one end of the second magnet 30, and an S magnetized portion 30s magnetized to the S pole is formed at the other end of the second magnet 30. The second magnet 30 is rotatably arranged at the bottom 12 of the housing member 6. Specifically, the second magnet 30 is rotatably arranged in a guide space 46 formed below the valve body space 18 at the bottom 12 of the housing member 6. The second magnet 30 is rotatable relative to the first magnet 28 while being guided along the inner peripheral surface of the guide space 46. By rotating the second magnet 30 relative to the first magnet 28, the magnetic pole of the second magnet 30 facing the S magnetized portion 28s of the first magnet 28 is alternately reversed between the N magnetized portion 30n and the S magnetized portion 30s.

The third magnet 32 is, for example, a permanent magnet. An N magnetized portion 32n magnetized to the N pole is formed at one end of the third magnet 32, and an S magnetized portion 32s magnetized to the S pole is formed at the other end of the third magnet 32. The third magnet 32 is fixed inside the mounting portion 8 of the main body 4. Specifically, the third magnet 32 is arranged so that the S magnetized portion 32s faces upward (the side of the storage member 6) and the N magnetized portion 32n faces downward (the side opposite the storage member 6). Note that the orientation of the magnetic poles of the third magnet 32 is not limited to this. When the N magnetized portion 28n and the S magnetized portion 28s of the first magnet 28 are arranged so that they face downward and upward, respectively, the third magnet 32 may be arranged so that the N magnetized portion 32n faces upward and the S magnetized portion 32s faces downward.

In addition, in this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 5 described later, when the bottom 12 of the storage member 6 is attached to the mounting portion 8 of the main body 4, the first magnet 28, the second magnet 30, and the third magnet 32 are arranged in a straight line in the up-down direction in this order.

[1-2. Operation of the Liquid Distribution Device]
The operation of the liquid flowing device 2 according to the first embodiment will be described with reference to Figures 3 to 5. Figure 4 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of the valve mechanism 24 of the liquid flowing device 2 according to the first embodiment in a state immediately before the containing member 6 is attached to the main body 4. Figure 5 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of the valve mechanism 24 of the liquid flowing device 2 according to the first embodiment in a state in which the containing member 6 is attached to the main body 4.

As shown in FIG. 3, when the bottom 12 of the housing member 6 is removed from the mounting portion 8 of the main body 4, the second magnet 30 receives a magnetic force from the first magnet 28 and rotates relative to the first magnet 28, and the magnetic pole of the second magnet 30 facing the S magnetized portion 28s of the first magnet 28 is reversed from the S magnetized portion 30s to the N magnetized portion 30n. At this time, an attractive force (magnetic force) acts between the S magnetized portion 28s of the first magnet 28 and the N magnetized portion 30n of the second magnet 30. As a result, the valve body 26 is held in the closed position in the valve body space 18 by utilizing the attractive force between the S magnetized portion 28s of the first magnet 28 and the N magnetized portion 30n of the second magnet 30.

When the valve body 26 is held in the closed position, the upper flange portion 36 of the valve body 26 contacts the upper end of the wall portion 22, and the lower flange portion 38 of the valve body 26 contacts the lower end of the valve body space 18. The gap between the upper flange portion 36 and the upper end of the wall portion 22 is sealed by an O-ring 42. The recess 40 of the valve body 26 is retracted into the valve body space 18. This blocks the storage space 14 and the flow path 20 via the valve body 26, sealing off the water in the storage space 14 of the storage member 6.

Next, as shown in FIG. 4, when the bottom 12 of the storage member 6 approaches the mounting portion 8 of the main body 4, the distance D2 between the second magnet 30 and the third magnet 32 becomes shorter than the distance D1 between the first magnet 28 and the second magnet 30. In general, the magnetic force acting between two magnets is inversely proportional to the square of the distance between the two magnets. Therefore, the magnetic force acting on the second magnet 30 is dominated by the magnetic force from the third magnet 32 rather than the magnetic force from the first magnet 28. As a result, the second magnet 30 receives the magnetic force from the third magnet 32 (i.e., due to the repulsive force between the S magnetized portion 28s of the second magnet 30 and the S magnetized portion 32s of the third magnet 32) and begins to rotate relative to the first magnet 28.

Next, when the bottom 12 of the storage member 6 is attached to the mounting portion 8 of the main body 4, the distance between the second magnet 30 and the third magnet 32 becomes even shorter than the distance D1 between the first magnet 28 and the second magnet 30 shown in FIG. 4 described above. As a result, as shown in FIG. 5, the second magnet 30 receives further magnetic force from the third magnet 32 and rotates relative to the first magnet 28, and the magnetic pole of the second magnet 30 facing the S magnetized portion 28s of the first magnet 28 is reversed from the N magnetized portion 30n to the S magnetized portion 30s. At this time, a repulsive force (magnetic force) acts between the S magnetized portion 28s of the first magnet 28 and the S magnetized portion 30s of the second magnet 30. As a result, the valve body 26 uses the repulsive force between the S magnetized portion 28s of the first magnet 28 and the S magnetized portion 30s of the second magnet 30 to slide upward from the closed position to the open position in the valve body space 18, and is then held in the open position.

As described above, when the second magnet 30 rotates relative to the first magnet 28, the magnetic pole of the second magnet 30 that faces the S magnetized portion 32s of the third magnet 32 becomes the N magnetized portion 30n. As a result, an attractive force acts between the N magnetized portion 30n of the second magnet 30 and the S magnetized portion 32s of the third magnet 32, so that the bottom 12 of the storage member 6 can be easily positioned relative to the mounting portion 8 of the main body 4.

When the valve body 26 is held in the open position, the upper flange portion 36 of the valve body 26 protrudes from the upper end of the valve body space 18 into the storage space 14, and the lower flange portion 38 of the valve body 26 contacts the lower end of the wall portion 22. The gap between the lower flange portion 38 and the lower end of the wall portion 22 is sealed by an O-ring 44. The upper end of the recess 40 of the valve body 26 protrudes into the storage space 14, and the recess 40 is disposed across the storage space 14 and one end of the flow path 20. As a result, the storage space 14 and one end of the flow path 20 are connected via the recess 40 of the valve body 26, and water in the storage space 14 is supplied to one end of the water conduit 10 of the main body 4 through the recess 40 and the flow path 20.

Next, as shown in FIG. 3, when the bottom 12 of the storage member 6 is removed from the mounting portion 8 of the main body 4, the distance between the first magnet 28 and the second magnet 30 becomes shorter than the distance between the second magnet 30 and the third magnet 32. Therefore, the magnetic force acting on the second magnet 30 is dominated by the magnetic force from the first magnet 28 rather than the magnetic force from the third magnet 32. As a result, the second magnet 30 becomes unstable due to the magnetic force from the first magnet 28 (i.e., due to the repulsive force between the S magnetized portion 28s of the first magnet 28 and the S magnetized portion 32s of the second magnet 30), and begins to rotate relative to the first magnet 28.

Then, the second magnet 30 rotates relative to the first magnet 28, and the magnetic pole of the second magnet 30 facing the S magnetized portion 28s of the first magnet 28 is reversed from the S magnetized portion 30s to the N magnetized portion 30n. At this time, an attractive force acts between the S magnetized portion 28s of the first magnet 28 and the N magnetized portion 30n of the second magnet 30. As a result, the valve body 26 uses the attractive force between the S magnetized portion 28s of the first magnet 28 and the N magnetized portion 30n of the second magnet 30 to slide downward from the open position to the closed position in the valve body space 18, and is then held in the closed position.

[1-3. Effects]
As described above, in conjunction with the attachment and detachment of the containing member 6 to the main body 4, the valve body 26 slides between the closed position and the open position by utilizing the magnetic force (attractive or repulsive force) between the first magnet 28 and the second magnet 30. This eliminates the need for a mechanism for pushing up the coil spring as explained in the Background Art section, and allows the liquid flow device 2 to be made more compact.

[1-4. Modifications]
The configuration of a liquid flowing device 2A according to a modified example of embodiment 1 will be described with reference to Fig. 6. Fig. 6 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of a valve mechanism 24A of a liquid flowing device 2A according to a modified example of embodiment 1. In this modified example, the same components as those in embodiment 1 are denoted by the same reference numerals, and description thereof will be omitted.

As shown in FIG. 6, in the valve mechanism 24A of the liquid flow device 2A, the arrangement of the third magnet 32A of the main body 4A is different from that of the first embodiment. That is, when the bottom 12 of the storage member 6 is attached to the mounting portion 8 of the main body 4A, the first magnet 28, the second magnet 30, and the third magnet 32A are not arranged in a straight line along the vertical direction. More specifically, the third magnet 32A is arranged shifted in the left-right direction (X-axis direction) from the straight line along which the first magnet 28 and the second magnet 30 are arranged in the vertical direction.

As a result, when the bottom 12 of the storage member 6 approaches the mounting portion 8 of the main body 4A, the magnetic force from the third magnet 32A can more reliably rotate the second magnet 30 relative to the first magnet 28.

(Embodiment 2)
The configuration of a liquid flowing device 2B according to embodiment 2 will be described with reference to Fig. 7. Fig. 7 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of a valve mechanism 24B of the liquid flowing device 2B according to embodiment 2. Note that in the following embodiments, the same components as those in embodiment 1 above are denoted by the same reference numerals, and description thereof will be omitted.

As shown in FIG. 7, in the valve mechanism 24B of the liquid flow device 2B, the configuration of the third magnet 32B of the main body 4B is different from that of the first embodiment. That is, the third magnet 32B is configured as an electromagnet. The main body 4B also has a control unit 48 for controlling the current supplied to the third magnet 32B. The control unit 48 switches the supply of current to the third magnet 32B on and off in conjunction with the attachment and detachment of the storage member 6 to the main body 4B.

When the bottom 12 of the storage member 6 is removed from the mounting portion 8 of the main body 4B, the control unit 48 turns off the supply of current to the third magnet 32B. As a result, no magnetic force is generated from the third magnet 32B.

On the other hand, when the bottom 12 of the storage member 6 is attached to the mounting portion 8 of the main body 4B, the control unit 48 turns on the supply of current to the third magnet 32B. As a result, an N magnetized portion 32n magnetized to an N pole is formed on the upper side (the storage member 6 side) of the third magnet 32B, and an S magnetized portion 32s magnetized to an S pole is formed on the lower side (the side opposite the storage member 6) of the third magnet 32B. As a result, a magnetic force is generated from the third magnet 32B, and the second magnet 30 receives the magnetic force from the third magnet 32B and rotates relative to the first magnet 28, as in the first embodiment above.

Therefore, the same effect as in embodiment 1 above can be obtained in this embodiment as well.

In this embodiment, the control unit 48 switches the supply of current to the third magnet 32B on and off in conjunction with the attachment and detachment of the storage member 6 to the main body 4B, but this is not limiting. For example, the control unit 48 may switch the direction of the magnetic poles of the third magnet 32B in conjunction with the attachment and detachment of the storage member 6 to the main body 4B. Specifically, when the bottom 12 of the storage member 6 is removed from the attachment portion 8 of the main body 4B, the control unit 48 controls the N magnetized portion 32n and the S magnetized portion 32s of the third magnet 32B to be on the upper and lower sides, respectively. On the other hand, when the bottom 12 of the storage member 6 is attached to the attachment portion 8 of the main body 4B, the control unit 48 controls the N magnetized portion 32n and the S magnetized portion 32s of the third magnet 32B to be on the lower and upper sides, respectively.

(Embodiment 3)
The configuration of a liquid flowing device 2C according to the third embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 8. Fig. 8 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of a valve mechanism 24C of the liquid flowing device 2C according to the third embodiment.

As shown in FIG. 8, in the valve mechanism 24C of the liquid circulation device 2C, the configuration of the third magnet 32C of the main body 4C differs from that of the first embodiment. That is, the third magnet 32C is formed of, for example, a permanent magnet, and is rotatably arranged in a guide space 50 formed in the mounting portion 8C of the main body 4C. The third magnet 32C is rotatable relative to the second magnet 30 while being guided along the inner peripheral surface of the guide space 50.

The main body 4C also has a driving source 52 that rotates the third magnet 32C. The driving source 52 is, for example, a motor. When the driving source 52 rotates the third magnet 32C, the magnetic pole of the third magnet 32C that faces the second magnet 30 alternates between the N magnetized portion 32n and the S magnetized portion 32s.

When the bottom 12 of the storage member 6 is removed from the mounting portion 8C of the main body 4C, the driving source 52 rotates the third magnet 32C so that the N magnetized portion 32n and the S magnetized portion 32s of the third magnet 32C are on the upper and lower sides, respectively.

On the other hand, when the bottom 12 of the storage member 6 is attached to the mounting portion 8C of the main body 4C, the driving source 52 rotates the third magnet 32C so that the S magnetized portion 32s and the N magnetized portion 32n of the third magnet 32C are on the upper and lower sides, respectively. In other words, the magnetic pole of the third magnet 32C facing the second magnet 30 is reversed from the N magnetized portion 32n to the S magnetized portion 32s. As a result, the second magnet 30 receives a magnetic force from the third magnet 32C and rotates relative to the first magnet 28, similar to the first embodiment.

(Embodiment 4)
The configuration of a liquid flow device 2D according to embodiment 4 will be described with reference to Figures 9 and 10. Figure 9 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of the valve mechanism 24D of the liquid flow device 2D according to embodiment 4 in a state in which the containing member 6D is removed from the main body 4D. Figure 10 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of the valve mechanism 24D of the liquid flow device 2D according to embodiment 4 in a state in which the containing member 6D is attached to the main body 4D.

9 and 10, in the valve mechanism 24D of the liquid flow device 2D, the configuration of the valve body 26D is different from that of the first embodiment. That is, the valve body 26D is tiltably supported by a bearing portion 54 provided on the bottom 12 of the storage member 6D, and can be displaced between a closed position (position shown in FIG. 9) and an open position (position shown in FIG. 10) in the storage space 14. Specifically, the valve body 26D can be tilted between the closed position and the open position around the bearing portion 54. The flow path 20D extends vertically through the bottom 12 of the storage member 6D from the upper surface to the lower surface, and the space for the valve body described in the first embodiment is not formed in the bottom 12 of the storage member 6D.

In the closed position, the valve body 26D is positioned so as to cover the upper end of the flow path 20D. This blocks the storage space 14 from the flow path 20D by the valve body 26D. On the other hand, in the open position, the valve body 26D is positioned above the upper end of the flow path 20D. This allows communication between the storage space 14 and the flow path 20D.

(Embodiment 5)
The configuration of a liquid flow device 2E according to the fifth embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 11. Fig. 11 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of a valve mechanism 24E of the liquid flow device 2E according to the fifth embodiment.

In this embodiment, the liquid flow device 2E is used as a liquid mixing device for mixing, for example, two types of liquid medicines (one example of liquid). The liquid mixing device includes the liquid flow device 2E, a container member (not shown) other than the container member 6E of the liquid flow device 2E, and a main body 4E for placing the container member 6E. Different types of liquid medicine are contained in the container member 6E and the other container member, respectively.

As shown in FIG. 11, in the valve mechanism 24E of the liquid flow device 2E, the configuration of the flow path 20E of the storage member 6E is different from that of the first embodiment. That is, the flow path 20E extends from the inner circumferential surface of the wall portion 22 through to the other storage member. As a result, the flow path 20E allows water to flow between the storage space 14 and the other storage member. Note that, as shown in FIG. 11, the main body 4E does not have the water guide tube described in the first embodiment.

Other Embodiments
Although the liquid flow device according to one or more aspects of the present disclosure has been described above based on each embodiment and each modified example, the present disclosure is not limited to these embodiments and each modified example. As long as it does not deviate from the gist of the present disclosure, various modifications conceived by a person skilled in the art may also be included within the scope of one or more aspects of the present disclosure.

In the above embodiments 1 to 4, the liquid is caused to flow from the storage space 14 of the storage member 6 (6D) to the main body 4 (4A, 4B, 4C, 4D), but the liquid may be caused to flow from the main body 4 (4A, 4B, 4C, 4D) to the storage member 6 (6D) in the opposite manner.

In addition, in the above-mentioned embodiments 1 to 5, the valve body 26 (26D) is displaced from the open position to the closed position by utilizing the attractive force between the first magnet 28 and the second magnet 30, but it may be displaced from the open position to the closed position by utilizing the repulsive force between the first magnet 28 and the second magnet 30. In addition, in the above-mentioned embodiments 1 to 5, the valve body 26 (26D) is displaced from the closed position to the open position by utilizing the repulsive force between the first magnet 28 and the second magnet 30, but it may be displaced from the closed position to the open position by utilizing the attractive force between the first magnet 28 and the second magnet 30.

In addition, in the above-mentioned first to fourth embodiments, the liquid flow device 2 (2A, 2B, 2C, 2D) is used in a humidifier, but this is not limited thereto, and it may be used, for example, in a collector for electrostatically collecting fine particles in the air. The collector includes a cylindrical duct, a liquid flow device arranged inside the duct, a main body, and a valve mechanism. The storage member of the liquid flow device is cylindrically formed and is rotatable around its axis relative to the duct. A liquid is stored in the storage space of the storage member. By rotating the storage member relative to the duct, fine particles adhering to the inner surface of the storage space of the storage member are collected by the liquid. The main body and the valve mechanism have the same configuration as those of the above-mentioned first to fourth embodiments.

When the storage member is removed from the main body and rotated relative to the duct, the valve of the valve mechanism is in the closed position, sealing off the liquid in the storage space of the storage member. After the liquid has captured the fine particles, the rotation of the storage member relative to the duct is stopped and the storage member is attached to the main body. At this time, the valve of the valve mechanism is displaced from the closed position to the open position, and the liquid in the storage space of the storage member is supplied to the main body.

The liquid distribution device according to the present disclosure can be used, for example, as a humidifier for humidifying a room.

Reference Signs List

2, 2A, 2B, 2C, 2D, 2E

Liquid flow device

4, 4A, 4B, 4C, 4D,

4E Main body

6, 6D,

6E Storage member

8, 8C Mounting portion 10 Water guide pipe 12

Bottom portion

13, 42, 44 O-ring 14 Storage space 16 Water inlet 18

Valve body space

20, 20D, 20E Flow path 22

Wall portion

24, 24A, 24B, 24C, 24D,

24E Valve mechanism

26, 26D Valve body 28

First magnet

28n, 30n, 32n N

magnetized portion

28s, 30s, 32s S magnetized portion 30

Second magnet

32, 32A, 32B, 32C Third magnet 34 Main body portion 36 Upper flange portion 38 Lower flange portion 40 Recessed

portion

46, 50 Guide space 48 Control portion 52 Driving source 54 Bearing

Claims

a storage member that is detachably attached to the main body, the storage member having a storage space for storing a liquid and a flow path for circulating the liquid between the storage space and the outside;
a valve body that is displaceable between an open position that communicates the accommodation space with the flow path and a closed position that blocks communication between the accommodation space and the flow path;
A first magnet disposed on the valve body;
a second magnet disposed in the housing member and rotatable relative to the first magnet;
a third magnet disposed on the body;
When the containing member is attached to the main body, the second magnet rotates by receiving a magnetic force from the third magnet, and the magnetic pole of the second magnet facing the first magnet is reversed, whereby the valve body is displaced from the closed position to the open position by utilizing the magnetic force between the first magnet and the second magnet,
When the containing member is removed from the main body, the second magnet rotates due to the magnetic force from the first magnet, and the magnetic pole of the second magnet facing the first magnet is reversed, thereby displacing the valve body from the open position to the closed position by utilizing the magnetic force between the first magnet and the second magnet.
The liquid flow device according to claim 1 , wherein when the containing member is attached to the main body, the distance between the second magnet and the third magnet is shorter than the distance between the first magnet and the second magnet.
The liquid flow device according to claim 1 , wherein the third magnet is an electromagnet.
the third magnet is rotatable relative to the second magnet;
The liquid flowing device according to claim 1 , further comprising a drive source that rotates the third magnet such that a magnetic pole of the third magnet facing the second magnet is reversed.
The liquid flow device according to claim 1 , wherein the first magnet, the second magnet, and the third magnet are not arranged on a straight line when the containing member is attached to the main body.
The housing member further includes a valve body space disposed between the housing space and the flow path,
The valve body is slidable between the open position and the closed position in the valve body space,
A recess is formed on the side surface of the valve body,
When the valve body slides from the closed position to the open position, a part of the recess protrudes into the accommodation space, thereby communicating the accommodation space and the flow path via the recess,
The liquid flow device according to claim 1 , wherein when the valve body slides from the open position to the closed position, the recess is retracted into the valve body space, thereby blocking the accommodation space and the flow path.
The housing member has a bearing portion that supports the valve body so that the valve body can tilt,
The liquid flow device according to claim 1 , wherein the valve body is tiltable about the bearing portion in the accommodation space between the open position and the closed position.
The liquid flow device according to claim 1 , wherein the flow path allows liquid to flow between the storage space and the main body when the valve body is in the open position.
The liquid flow device according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein when the valve body is in the open position, the flow path allows liquid to flow between the storage space and a storage member other than the storage member.
a storage member that is detachably attached to the main body, the storage member having a storage space for storing a liquid and a flow path for circulating the liquid between the storage space and the outside;
a valve body that is displaceable between an open position that communicates the accommodation space with the flow path and a closed position that blocks communication between the accommodation space and the flow path;
A first magnet disposed on the valve body;
a second magnet disposed in the housing member and rotatable relative to the first magnet;
a third magnet disposed on the body;
When the containing member is attached to the main body, the valve body is displaced from the closed position to the open position by magnetic forces of the first magnet, the second magnet, and the third magnet,
When the containing member is removed from the main body, the valve body is displaced from the open position to the closed position by magnetic forces of the first magnet, the second magnet and the third magnet.