Patent Description:
In recent years, water purification, waste water treatment, and fish farming have been performed using fine bubbles, and fine bubbles have been used in various fields. Therefore, a bubble generating device that generates fine bubbles has been developed (Patent Document <NUM>). Further, an apparatus for jetting air bubbles which is provided with an injection part, a piezoelectric/electrostrictive element, a pressure regulating means, a pressure sensor for detecting the pressure Pw of a liquid W and an electric controller is known (Patent Document <NUM>).

The bubble generating device described in Patent Document <NUM> generates fine bubbles using a piezoelectric element. The bubble generating device uses vibration in a top-bottom direction in a central portion of a vibration plate that performs flexural vibration, and tears off, by vibration, bubbles generated in pores formed on the vibration plate to make fine bubbles. Therefore, one surface of the vibration plate where pores are formed is always exposed to a liquid such as water, and another surface needs to be provided with a space into which a gas is introduced for generating bubbles. According to the Patent Document <NUM>, the injection part comprises a plate-shaped body having a gas jetting through-hole, one end of which is used as a gas jetting spout, and a wall 11b connected to the plate-shaped body so that a gas supplying space where a gas is supplied is formed by the plate-shaped body and the wall. The gas GS the pressure of which is regulated by the pressure regulating means according to the detected pressure Pw is supplied to the gas supplying space. The electric controller sends a driving signal to the piezoelectric/electrostrictive element to deform the piezoelectric/electrostrictive element and vibrate the plate-shaped body. As a result, minute air bubbles are jetted from the gas jetting through-hole. Patent Document <NUM> further discloses a bubble generating device that is attachable to a liquid tank and is configured to generate, by vibration, fine bubbles in a liquid in the liquid tank, the bubble generating device comprising: a vibration plate that has a plurality of pores, said vibration plate being configured to be in contact with a liquid on one surface, and being configured to be in contact with a gas on another surface; a first cylindrical body configured to hold, at one end, the vibration plate; a spring having a plate shape configured to support another end of the first cylindrical body; a second cylindrical body configured to support, at one end, a position of the spring inside a position where the first cylindrical body is supported; and a piezoelectric element.

In the bubble generating device described in Patent Document <NUM>, for isolating the liquid from the gas by the vibration plate, a rubber elastic body having concentric silicone rubbers holds the vibration plate. In a case where a rubber elastic body holds a vibration plate, when the vibration plate is caused to vibrate for generating bubbles, the rubber elastic body absorbs part of the vibration of the vibration plate. On the contrary, in a case where the vibration plate is held while a hard shielding object having no elastic body isolates a liquid from a gas, when the vibration plate is caused to vibrate for generating bubbles, the vibration of the vibration plate is transmitted to a liquid tank (for example, a water tank) from the shielding object and vibrates the liquid tank. That is, the vibration is easily transmitted from a portion where the vibration plate is held and escapes to the liquid tank, as a result of which the amplitude of the vibration plate decreases.

In addition, when the vibration plate is caused to vibrate while an end of the vibration plate is held, the vibration plate is caused to vibrate in a vibration mode in which the vibration plate is bent, bubbles are generated only in the vicinity of the center of the vibration plate where the amplitude of the vibration increases.

Therefore, an object of the present disclosure is to provide a bubble generating device that efficiently generates uniform bubbles in a plane of a vibration plate and a bubble generating system using the bubble generating device. Solution to Problem.

According to an aspect of the present disclosure, a bubble generating device is attachable to a liquid tank and is configured to generate, by vibration, fine bubbles in a liquid in the liquid tank. The bubble generating device includes a vibration plate that has a plurality of pores, said vibration plate being configured to be in contact with a liquid on one surface, and being configured to be in contact with a gas on another surface, a first cylindrical body configured to hold, at one end, the vibration plate, a spring having a plate shape configured to support another end of the first cylindrical body, a second cylindrical body configured to support, at one end, a position of the spring outside a position where the first cylindrical body is supported, and a piezoelectric element that is provided at another end of the second cylindrical body and configured to vibrate the second cylindrical body.

According to another aspect of the present disclosure, a bubble generating system includes the bubble generating device described above and a liquid tank.

According to the present disclosure, by vibrating the first cylindrical body supported by the spring having a plate shape, uniform bubbles can be efficiently generated in a plane of the vibration plate.

Hereinafter, a bubble generating device according to the present embodiment will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. Note that the same and corresponding portions in the drawings will be denoted by the same reference signs, and the descriptions thereof will not be repeated.

First, <FIG> is a schematic view of a water purification apparatus <NUM> in which a bubble generating device <NUM> according to the present embodiment is used. The water purification apparatus <NUM> illustrated in <FIG> is an example of a bubble generating system including a liquid tank <NUM>, which is a water tank, and the bubble generating device <NUM>. The bubble generating device <NUM> is, for example, provided at the bottom of the liquid tank <NUM> and generates fine bubbles <NUM> in a liquid (for example, water) in the liquid tank <NUM>. The bubble generating system is not limited to the water purification apparatus <NUM> and is applicable to various systems such as a waste water treatment device, a fish farming tank, and a fuel injection device. In addition, different types of liquid is introduced into the liquid tank <NUM> according to the system to be applied. Water is introduced into the liquid tank <NUM> in the case of the water purification apparatus <NUM>, and a liquid fuel is introduced into the liquid tank <NUM> in the case of a fuel injection apparatus. Moreover, the liquid tank <NUM> is sufficient as long as the liquid tank <NUM> can temporarily store a liquid, and includes a tank having a pipe into which the liquid is introduced and through which the liquid flows all the time.

The bubble generating device <NUM> includes a vibration plate <NUM>, a cylindrical body <NUM>, and a piezoelectric element <NUM>. The bubble generating device <NUM> generates fine bubbles <NUM> from a plurality of pores (cavities) formed on the vibration plate <NUM> by providing the vibration plate <NUM> in a pore opened in a part of the bottom of the liquid tank <NUM> and vibrating the vibration plate <NUM> by the piezoelectric element <NUM> with the cylindrical body <NUM> interposed therebetween.

The vibration plate <NUM> is formed of, for example, a resin plate, a metal plate, a Si or silicon on insulator (SOI) substrate, a porous ceramic plate, a glass plate, or the like. When the vibration plate <NUM> is formed of a glass plate, for example, a glass plate transmitting ultraviolet light and deep ultraviolet light having a wavelength of <NUM> to <NUM> may be used. By forming the vibration plate <NUM> with a glass plate transmitting ultraviolet light and deep ultraviolet light, a light source that emits ultraviolet light from another surface side of the vibration plate <NUM> to the liquid in the liquid tank <NUM> is provided, and sterilization can be performed by ozone generation and ultraviolet irradiation.

The vibration plate <NUM> has a plurality of pores, is in contact with the liquid (for example, water) in the liquid tank <NUM> on one surface, and is in contact with a gas (for example, air) on another surface. That is, in the bubble generating device <NUM>, by isolating a liquid from a gas by the vibration plate <NUM> and applying back pressure to the other surface (in the direction indicated by arrow in <FIG>), the gas is sent to the liquid in the liquid tank <NUM> through the plurality of pores. The bubble generating device <NUM> tears off the gas sent through the plurality of pores by vibration of the vibration plate <NUM> so as to generate the fine bubbles <NUM>.

In the bubble generating device <NUM>, the vibration plate <NUM> is caused to vibrate by the piezoelectric element <NUM> with the cylindrical body <NUM> interposed therebetween. <FIG> is a perspective view of the bubble generating device <NUM> according to the present embodiment. <FIG> is a sectional view of the bubble generating device <NUM> according to the present embodiment. The cylindrical body <NUM> illustrated in <FIG> includes a first cylindrical body <NUM>, a spring <NUM>, a second cylindrical body <NUM>, and a flange <NUM> as illustrated in <FIG>. Note that the bubble generating device <NUM> in <FIG> is a sectional view cut at the center in a penetrating direction (top-bottom direction in the figure) of the second cylindrical body <NUM>.

An end portion of the vibration plate <NUM> is held at an end portion of the first cylindrical body <NUM> having a cylindrical shape. The first cylindrical body <NUM> is supported by the spring <NUM> on a side opposite from the vibration plate <NUM> side. The spring <NUM> is a plate-like member that is elastically deformable, supports the bottom surface of the first cylindrical body <NUM> having a cylindrical shape, and extends outward from the position where the spring <NUM> supports the first cylindrical body <NUM>. The spring <NUM> has a hollow circular shape and extends so as to surround a periphery of the first cylindrical body <NUM> in a circular manner.

The spring <NUM> is supported by the second cylindrical body <NUM> at a position outside the position where the spring <NUM> supports the first cylindrical body <NUM>. The second cylindrical body <NUM> has a cylindrical shape. The second cylindrical body <NUM> supports, at one end, the spring <NUM>. The second cylindrical body <NUM> has, at another end, the flange <NUM> having a plate shape and extending outward. The piezoelectric element <NUM> having a hollow circular shape is provided on a lower surface of the flange <NUM>. The piezoelectric element <NUM> vibrates in the penetrating direction (top-bottom direction in the figure) of the second cylindrical body <NUM>. Note that the second cylindrical body <NUM> may be provided without the flange <NUM>, and the piezoelectric element <NUM> may be provided directly at another end of the second cylindrical body <NUM>.

The flange <NUM> is provided on a bottom surface side of the second cylindrical body <NUM> and extends outward. The flange <NUM> has a hollow circular shape and extends so as to surround a periphery of the second cylindrical body <NUM> in a circular manner. As the piezoelectric element <NUM> vibrates in the penetrating direction of the second cylindrical body <NUM>, the flange <NUM> vibrates the second cylindrical body <NUM> in the penetrating direction. Note that a plurality of the piezoelectric elements <NUM> having a rectangular shape may be concentrically provided on the lower surface of the flange <NUM>. Alternatively, the piezoelectric element <NUM> having a hollow circular shape may be provided on the upper surface of the flange <NUM>. Alternatively, a plurality of the piezoelectric elements <NUM> having a rectangular shape may be concentrically provided on the upper surface of the flange <NUM>.

The first cylindrical body <NUM>, the spring <NUM>, the second cylindrical body <NUM>, and the flange <NUM> are integrally formed. The first cylindrical body <NUM>, the spring <NUM>, the second cylindrical body <NUM>, and the flange <NUM> are made of, for example, metal such as stainless steel or synthetic resin. Preferably, rigid metal such as stainless steel is used. Note that the first cylindrical body <NUM>, the spring <NUM>, the second cylindrical body <NUM>, and the flange <NUM> may be formed separately or may be formed of separate members. Any method may be adopted for a method of joining the vibration plate <NUM> and the first cylindrical body <NUM>. The vibration plate <NUM> and the first cylindrical body <NUM> may be joined by an adhesive, welding, fitting, pressing, or the like.

As illustrated in <FIG>, for example, by joining a side surface of the second cylindrical body <NUM> to the pore opened in a part of the bottom of the liquid tank <NUM>, the bubble generating device <NUM> is coupled to the liquid tank <NUM>. Even when the vibration plate <NUM> is caused to vibrate by the piezoelectric element <NUM> as described later, the second cylindrical body <NUM> is substantially unlikely to vibrate. Therefore, it is possible to substantially vibrate only the vibration plate <NUM> without transmitting vibration of the piezoelectric element <NUM> to the liquid tank <NUM>.

The piezoelectric element <NUM> vibrates by, for example, being polarized in a thickness direction. The piezoelectric element <NUM> is made of PZT-based piezoelectric ceramics. Alternatively, other piezoelectric ceramics such as (K,Na)NbO3 may be used. In addition, piezoelectric single crystal such as LiTaO3 may be used.

In the bubble generating device <NUM>, by employing the structure in which, for example, a glass plate is used as the vibration plate <NUM> that comes into contact with the liquid and the vibration plate <NUM> is configured to vibrate by the piezoelectric element <NUM> with the cylindrical body <NUM> interposed therebetween, the space into which the gas is introduced can be completely isolated from the liquid. By completely isolating the space into which the gas is introduced from the liquid, electric wiring and the like of the piezoelectric element <NUM> can be prevented from being soaked in the liquid. In addition, in the bubble generating device <NUM>, even when a light source that emits ultraviolet light to the liquid in the liquid tank <NUM> is provided, since the light source can be installed in the space into which the gas is introduced, electric wiring and the like of the light source can also be prevented from being soaked in the liquid.

The plurality of pores is formed on the vibration plate <NUM>. <FIG> is a plan view of the vibration plate <NUM> according to the present embodiment. On the vibration plate <NUM> illustrated in <FIG>, a plurality of pores 2b is formed in a region of <NUM> x <NUM> provided in a central portion of a glass plate 2a having a diameter of <NUM>. On the vibration plate <NUM>, for example, when a diameter of each pore 2b is <NUM>, and an interval between the pores 2b is <NUM>, <NUM> pores 2b can be formed in the region of <NUM> x <NUM>. Note that in <FIG>, in order to easily imagine the plurality of pores 2b formed on the glass plate 2a, the diameter of each pore 2b and the interval between the pores 2b are made different from the actual scales.

Each pore 2b provided on the vibration plate <NUM> has a diameter of <NUM> to <NUM> on a surface on a side in contact with the liquid. By introducing the gas from the pore 2b by vibrating the vibration plate <NUM>, the fine bubbles <NUM> each having a diameter of approximately <NUM>/<NUM> times the diameter of a bubble normally flowing can be generated in the liquid in the liquid tank <NUM>. Since the plurality of pores 2b is formed at an interval of <NUM> times or more the diameter thereof, the fine bubbles <NUM> generated from one pore 2b is prevented from being joined with the fine bubbles <NUM> generated from adjacent pores 2b, and performance of generating the fine bubbles <NUM> that are independent from each other is improved.

As a method for forming the plurality of pores 2b on the glass plate 2a, for example, there is a method in which a laser and liquid phase etching are combined. Specifically, in this method, by irradiating the glass plate 2a with a laser, composition of the glass plate 2a is modified by laser energy, and the modified portion is eroded by a liquid fluoride-based etching material or the like so as to form the plurality of pores 2b.

Next, vibration of the vibration plate <NUM> in the bubble generating device <NUM> will be described in detail. <FIG> is a view for explaining the vibration of the vibration plate <NUM> in the bubble generating device <NUM> according to the present embodiment. In the bubble generating device <NUM> according to the present embodiment, as the first cylindrical body <NUM> is substantially displaced uniformly in a top-bottom direction by the vibration of the piezoelectric element <NUM>, the entire vibration plate <NUM> substantially uniformly vibrates in the top-bottom direction. On the other hand, in a bubble generating device to be compared (for example, the bubble generating device described in <CIT>), by vibration of a piezoelectric element, vibration occurs in a flexural mode in which the vibration plate is displaced most in the top-bottom direction in a central portion and is not displaced in a peripheral portion. In <FIG>, a reference position of the bubble generating device <NUM> before the start of vibration is indicated by broken lines, and a position of the bubble generating device <NUM> after the displacement is indicated by solid lines.

With reference to <FIG>, as the piezoelectric element <NUM> vibrates in the penetrating direction of the second cylindrical body <NUM> based on a driving signal received from a controller <NUM> (see <FIG>), an outer side portion of the flange <NUM> is displaced upward, and then, with the second cylindrical body <NUM> interposed therebetween, the position of the spring <NUM> supporting the first cylindrical body <NUM> sinks downward. As the position of the spring <NUM> supporting the first cylindrical body <NUM> sinks downward, the entire first cylindrical body <NUM> is displaced downward, as a result of which the entire vibration plate <NUM> supported by the first cylindrical body <NUM> is displaced downward. At this time, a node (a portion that is not displaced even by the vibration of the piezoelectric element <NUM>) is formed on a side surface of the second cylindrical body <NUM>. Therefore, by joining the side surface of the second cylindrical body <NUM> to the pore opened in a part of the bottom of the liquid tank <NUM> illustrated in <FIG>, the bubble generating device <NUM> is coupled to the liquid tank <NUM>, and vibration is transmitted to the vibration plate <NUM> without substantially transmitting the vibration of the piezoelectric element <NUM> to the liquid tank <NUM>.

Although not illustrated, as the piezoelectric element <NUM> vibrates in the penetrating direction of the second cylindrical body <NUM> based on a driving signal received from the controller <NUM> (see <FIG>), the flange <NUM> is displaced downward, and then, with the second cylindrical body <NUM> interposed therebetween, the position of the spring <NUM> supporting the first cylindrical body <NUM> rises upward. As the position of the spring <NUM> supporting the first cylindrical body <NUM> rises upward, the entire first cylindrical body <NUM> is displaced upward, as a result of which the entire vibration plate <NUM> supported by the first cylindrical body <NUM> is displaced upward.

As illustrated in <FIG>, in the bubble generating device <NUM> according to the present embodiment, the entire vibration plate <NUM> is substantially uniformly displaced in the top-bottom direction while the vibration plate <NUM> itself is substantially unlikely to deform by the vibration of the piezoelectric element <NUM>. Accordingly, in the bubble generating device <NUM>, by using top-bottom resonance of the spring <NUM> to drive the vibration plate <NUM> in a planar manner, the gas is torn off by the same displacement at any position and uniform bubbles can be generated. On the other hand, in the bubble generating device to be compared, when the vibration plate is caused to vibrate while an end of the vibration plate is held, vibration is caused in a vibration mode in which the vibration plate is bent, the gas is torn off and bubbles are generated only in the central portion of the vibration plate where the vibration amplitude increases.

In the bubble generating device to be compared, the amplitude in the central portion of the vibration plate is different from the amplitude in the peripheral portion of the vibration plate, which causes difference in tearing off the gas, and bubbles having a large diameter remain. However, in the bubble generating device <NUM>, since the amplitude is substantially the same in the central portion and the peripheral portion of the vibration plate, bubbles having a large diameter do not remain. In addition, in the bubble generating device to be compared, in order to generate fine bubbles also in the peripheral portion of the vibration plate, large vibration needs to be applied to the vibration plate, and thus the vibration plate itself may be broken. However, in the bubble generating device <NUM>, since fine bubbles can also be generated in the peripheral portion of the vibration plate <NUM> without applying large vibration to the vibration plate <NUM>, the vibration plate <NUM> is not broken. Moreover, in the bubble generating device to be compared, in order to suppress a variation in the diameter of bubbles, a vibration plate provided with a pore only in the central portion of the vibration plate needs to be prepared. However, in the bubble generating device <NUM>, since a variation in the diameter of bubbles does not have to be suppressed, many bubbles can be generated by providing pores in portions (such as the peripheral portion) other than the central portion of the vibration plate <NUM>.

The difference in vibration between the bubble generating device <NUM> according to the present embodiment and the bubble generating device to be compared is based on a structural difference of the bubble generating device <NUM>. Moreover, in the bubble generating device <NUM> according to the present embodiment, the vibration plate <NUM> can also be caused to vibrate in a mode in which the excitation frequency is increased so that the displacement in the top-bottom direction of the vibration plate <NUM> is maximum in the central portion of the vibration plate <NUM>. That is, the bubble generating device <NUM> can perform vibration in a plurality of different vibration modes according to the excitation frequency. Here, the frequency that excites the bubble generating device <NUM> can be adjusted by changing the frequency of the driving signal to be applied to the piezoelectric element <NUM>. Hereinafter, vibration that causes the vibration plate <NUM> to be most displaced in the top-bottom direction in the central portion of the vibration plate <NUM> is referred to as flexural vibration, and a vibration mode thereof is referred to as a flexural vibration mode. On the other hand, vibration that causes the entire vibration plate <NUM> to vibrate substantially uniformly in the top-bottom direction is referred to as spring vibration (piston vibration), and a vibration mode thereof is referred to as a spring vibration mode.

<FIG> is a diagram indicating a relation between a frequency of a driving signal applied to the piezoelectric element <NUM> and impedance in the bubble generating device <NUM> according to the present embodiment. As is evident from a portion indicated by a position P in <FIG>, the impedance of the piezoelectric element <NUM> significantly changes at a frequency around approximately <NUM>. The position P indicates the frequency of the driving signal when the vibration plate <NUM> vibrates in the spring vibration mode. At the position P, as indicated by the bubble generating device <NUM> illustrated in the upper right in <FIG>, the entire vibration plate <NUM> substantially uniformly vibrates in the top-bottom direction. Hereinafter, the frequency of the driving signal when the vibration plate <NUM> vibrates in the spring vibration mode is referred to as "a resonant frequency in the spring vibration mode".

As is evident from a position Q in <FIG>, the impedance of the piezoelectric element <NUM> significantly changes at a frequency around approximately <NUM>, which is higher than the frequency at the position P. The position Q indicates the frequency of the driving signal when the vibration plate <NUM> vibrates in the flexural vibration mode. At the position Q, as indicated by the bubble generating device <NUM> illustrated in the lower right in <FIG>, vibration occurs such that the vibration plate <NUM> is most displaced in the top-bottom direction in the central portion of the vibration plate <NUM>. Hereinafter, the frequency of the driving signal when the vibration plate <NUM> vibrates in the flexural vibration mode is referred to as "a resonant frequency in the flexural vibration mode". Note that at a frequency around approximately <NUM>, which is higher than the frequency at the position Q, a resonant frequency in the high-order flexural vibration mode also exists.

As indicated in <FIG>, in the bubble generating device <NUM>, the vibration mode changes according to the frequency of the driving signal applied to the piezoelectric element <NUM>. While the resonant frequency in the spring vibration mode is approximately <NUM>, the resonant frequency in the flexural vibration mode is approximately <NUM>, which is high. If the resonant frequency in the spring vibration mode and the resonant frequency in the flexural vibration mode is approximated to each other, the bubble generating device <NUM> cannot vibrate the vibration plate <NUM> only in the spring vibration mode. Here, the relation between the resonant frequency in the spring vibration mode and the resonant frequency in the flexural vibration mode changes according to the structure of the bubble generating device <NUM>. For example, the relation between the resonant frequency in the spring vibration mode and the resonant frequency in the flexural vibration mode changes according to the thickness of the vibration plate <NUM>.

Therefore, in the bubble generating device <NUM>, it is preferable that the resonant frequency in the flexural vibration mode (the resonant frequency in any vibration mode in which the vibration plate <NUM> is bent) is configured to be higher than the resonant frequency in the spring vibration mode (the resonant frequency of the spring). For example, the thickness of the vibration plate <NUM> is adjusted so that the resonant frequency in the flexural vibration mode is adjusted to be higher than the resonant frequency in the spring vibration mode.

As described above, the bubble generating device <NUM> according to the present embodiment is a bubble generating device that is attached to a liquid tank and generates, by vibration, the fine bubbles <NUM> in a liquid in the liquid tank. The bubble generating device <NUM> includes the vibration plate <NUM>, the first cylindrical body <NUM>, the spring <NUM>, the second cylindrical body <NUM>, and the piezoelectric element <NUM>. The vibration plate <NUM> has the plurality of pores 2b, is in contact with the liquid on one surface, and is in contact with a gas on another surface. The first cylindrical body <NUM> holds, at one end, the vibration plate <NUM>. The spring <NUM> having a plate shape supports another end of the first cylindrical body <NUM>. The second cylindrical body <NUM> supports, at one end, a position of the spring <NUM> outside a position where the first cylindrical body <NUM> is supported. The piezoelectric element <NUM> is provided at another end of the second cylindrical body <NUM> and vibrates the second cylindrical body <NUM>. Note that the bubble generating system (for example, the water purification apparatus <NUM>) includes the liquid tank <NUM> and the bubble generating device <NUM>. In addition, the bubble generating device <NUM> is preferably coupled to the liquid tank <NUM> on a side surface of the second cylindrical body <NUM>.

As a result, the bubble generating device <NUM> can efficiently generate uniform bubbles in a plane of the vibration plate <NUM> by vibrating the first cylindrical body <NUM> supported by the spring <NUM> having a plate shape. In addition, the bubble generating device <NUM> can completely isolate the space into which the gas is introduced from the liquid, and thus can prevent the electric wiring and the like of the piezoelectric element <NUM> from being soaked in the liquid. Note that in the bubble generating system, since the bubble generating device <NUM> is coupled to the liquid tank <NUM> on a side surface of the second cylindrical body <NUM>, the vibration can be prevented from being transmitted to the liquid tank, and the liquid tank itself is not substantially vibrated.

In addition, it is preferable that the resonant frequency in any vibration mode in which the vibration plate <NUM> is bent is configured to be higher than the resonant frequency of the spring <NUM>. As a result, the bubble generating device <NUM> can vibrate the vibration plate <NUM> only in the spring vibration mode.

Moreover, the second cylindrical body <NUM> has the flange <NUM> having a plate shape and extending outward at another end. The piezoelectric element <NUM> is preferably provided on an upper surface or a lower surface of the flange <NUM>. As a result, in the bubble generating device <NUM>, the piezoelectric element <NUM> can be prevented from being soaked in the liquid.

Hereinafter, modifications of the present embodiment will be described with reference to the drawings. <FIG> is a sectional view of a bubble generating device 1A according to a first modification of the present embodiment. In <FIG>, a reference position of the bubble generating device 1A before start of vibration is indicated by broken lines, and a position of the bubble generating device 1A after displacement is indicated by solid lines. Note that the same configurations as the bubble generating device <NUM> will be denoted by the same reference signs, and the descriptions thereof will not be repeated. The bubble generating device 1A is different from the bubble generating device <NUM> in that a flange 34A extends toward the inside of the bubble generating device 1A.

The flange 34A is provided at another end of the second cylindrical body <NUM> (the second cylindrical body <NUM> supports the spring <NUM> at one end) and vibrates in the penetrating direction of the second cylindrical body <NUM> (top-bottom direction in the figure). The flange 34A is provided with the piezoelectric element <NUM> having a hollow circular shape on the lower surface. The flange 34A has a hollow circular shape, is provided on a bottom surface side of the second cylindrical body <NUM>, and extends inward from the position where the flange 34A is provided. As the piezoelectric element <NUM> vibrates in the penetrating direction of the second cylindrical body <NUM>, the flange 34A vibrates in the penetrating direction of the second cylindrical body <NUM>.

As the piezoelectric element <NUM> vibrates in the penetrating direction of the second cylindrical body <NUM> based on a driving signal received from the controller <NUM> (see <FIG>), the flange 34A is displaced downward, and then the position of the spring <NUM> supporting the first cylindrical body <NUM> rises upward. As the position of the spring <NUM> supporting the first cylindrical body <NUM> rises upward, the entire first cylindrical body <NUM> is displaced upward, as a result of which the entire vibration plate <NUM> supported by the first cylindrical body <NUM> is also displaced upward. At this time, the side surface of the second cylindrical body <NUM> is not displaced by the vibration of the piezoelectric element <NUM>.

Although not illustrated, when the flange 34A is displaced upward, the position of the spring <NUM> supporting the first cylindrical body <NUM> sinks downward. As the position of the spring <NUM> supporting the first cylindrical body <NUM> sinks downward, the entire first cylindrical body <NUM> is displaced downward, as a result of which the entire vibration plate <NUM> supported by the first cylindrical body <NUM> is also displaced downward. At this time, the side surface of the second cylindrical body <NUM> is not displaced by the vibration of the piezoelectric element <NUM>.

As described above, since the bubble generating device 1A can vibrate the vibration plate <NUM> in the spring vibration mode in the same manner as the bubble generating device <NUM>, the bubble generating device 1A exhibits the same effects as the bubble generating device <NUM>. Note that in the bubble generating device 1A, a plurality of piezoelectric elements <NUM> each having a rectangular shape may be concentrically provided on the lower surface of the flange 34A. Alternatively, the piezoelectric element <NUM> having a hollow circular shape may be provided on the upper surface of the flange 34A. Alternatively, the plurality of piezoelectric elements <NUM> each having a rectangular shape may be concentrically provided on the upper surface of the flange 34A. Alternatively, the piezoelectric element <NUM> may be matched to the shape of the flange 34A, and the piezoelectric element <NUM> and the flange 34A may be integrally formed. As the bubble generating device 1A is configured as described above, the size of the device can be reduced, and in particular, the size in the width direction can be reduced.

Next, <FIG> is a perspective view of a bubble generating device 1B according to a second modification of the present embodiment. The bubble generating device 1B includes the vibration plate <NUM>, the first cylindrical body <NUM>, a spring 32B, a second cylindrical body 33B, and a piezoelectric element 4B. Note that the same configurations as the bubble generating device <NUM> will be denoted by the same reference signs, and the descriptions thereof will not be repeated.

The spring 32B supports the bottom surface of the first cylindrical body <NUM> having a cylindrical shape and extends outward from the position where the spring 32B supports the first cylindrical body <NUM>. The spring 32B extends so as to surround, in a rectangular shape, a periphery of the first cylindrical body <NUM>.

The spring 32B is supported by the second cylindrical body 33B at a position outside the position where the spring 32B supports the first cylindrical body <NUM>. The second cylindrical body 33B has a squarely cylindrical shape. On each of the four side surfaces of the second cylindrical body 33B, the piezoelectric element 4B having a rectangular shape is disposed. The piezoelectric element 4B is a vibrating body that vibrates in a direction (right-left direction or front-back direction in the figure) perpendicular to a penetrating direction (top-bottom direction in the figure) of the second cylindrical body 33B. The piezoelectric element 4B may be disposed only on two surfaces facing each other instead of being disposed on the four side surfaces of the second cylindrical body 33B.

<FIG> is a sectional view of the bubble generating device 1B according to the second modification of the present embodiment. In <FIG>, a case in which the bubble generating device 1B resonates in a vibration mode (spring vibration mode) in which the first cylindrical body <NUM> is substantially uniformly displaced in a top-bottom direction by the vibration of the piezoelectric element 4B will be described. In <FIG>, a reference position of the bubble generating device 1B before start of vibration is indicated by broken lines, and a position of the bubble generating device 1B after displacement is indicated by solid lines.

In the bubble generating device 1B, the piezoelectric elements 4B provided on side surfaces facing each other are caused to vibrate mutually inward or outward. In the bubble generating device 1B, as the piezoelectric elements 4B are caused to vibrate, the second cylindrical body 33B is displaced outward, and the position of the spring 32B supporting the first cylindrical body <NUM> sinks downward. As the position of the spring 32B sinks downward, the entire first cylindrical body <NUM> is displaced downward, and the entire vibration plate <NUM> supported by the first cylindrical body <NUM> is also displaced downward.

Although not illustrated, by vibrating the piezoelectric elements 4B, the second cylindrical body 33B is displaced inward, and the position of the spring 32B supporting the first cylindrical body <NUM> rises upward. As the position of the spring 32B rises upward, the entire first cylindrical body <NUM> is displaced upward, and the entire vibration plate <NUM> supported by the first cylindrical body <NUM> is also displaced upward. As a result, the entire vibration plate <NUM> is substantially uniformly displaced in the top-bottom direction while the vibration plate <NUM> itself is substantially unlikely to deform by the vibration of the piezoelectric elements 4B. As the bubble generating device 1B is configured as described above, the size of the device can be reduced in the width direction and the thickness direction, and the cost can be reduced.

The embodiment disclosed this time should be considered as illustrative in all respects and not restrictive. The scope of the present invention is defined by the terms of the claims, rather than the description above.

Claim 1:
A bubble generating device (<NUM>, 1A, 1B) that is attachable to a liquid tank (<NUM>) and is configured to generate, by vibration, fine bubbles in a liquid in the liquid tank (<NUM>), the bubble generating device (<NUM>, 1A, 1B) comprising:
a vibration plate (<NUM>) that has a plurality of pores, said vibration plate (<NUM>) being configured to be in contact with a liquid on one surface, and being configured to be in contact with a gas on another surface;
a first cylindrical body (<NUM>) configured to hold, at one end, the vibration plate (<NUM>) ;
a spring (<NUM>) having a plate shape configured to support another end of the first cylindrical body (<NUM>);
a second cylindrical body (<NUM>) configured to support, at one end, a position of the spring (<NUM>) outside a position where the first cylindrical body (<NUM>) is supported; and
a piezoelectric element (<NUM>) that is provided at another end of the second cylindrical body (<NUM>) and is configured to vibrate the second cylindrical body (<NUM>).