Patent Description:
<CIT> discloses a device that generates a vortex ring and supplies the vortex ring containing, for example, a scent component to a predetermined region.

In the device of <CIT>, the vortex ring and a straight flow passing through the inside of the vortex ring are generated by limiting a UT/R (a ratio of an extrusion volume to the radius of an outlet) range and a Reynolds number range of air, where U represents the velocity of the extrusion air, T represents the discharge time, and R represents the radius of an opening of a discharge port.

Another example of the prior art can be found in document <CIT>.

In the configuration of <CIT>, when a scent component is added the vortex ring as an additive, for example, the scent component is also added to the straight flow, which may cause the scent component to be sent to a place where the vortex ring is not intended to be supplied. As a result, the scent remains in a wide range including a place to which the scent component is not intended to be conveyed. This may cause the olfactory sense to be accustomed to the effect, or people who are in the place where the scent is not intended to be conveyed to feel discomfort. Thus, it is desirable to reduce the generation of the straight flow and generate a stable vortex ring, so that the vortex ring can be conveyed only to the intended place.

It is an object of the present invention to generate a stable vortex ring including almost no straight flow and to convey the vortex ring to the intended place.

A first aspect of the present invention is directed to a vortex ring generation device including: a casing (<NUM>) having a gas passage (C) and a discharge port (<NUM>); and an extrusion mechanism (<NUM>) that extrudes a gas in the gas passage (C) such that the gas in a vortex ring shape is discharged from the discharge port (<NUM>).

Further, in the vortex ring generation device, when V (m<NUM>) represents an extrusion volume, D (m) represents a diameter of the discharge port (<NUM>), L (m) represents a length of a cylinder (an equivalent length of a cylinder) having the diameter D and the volume V, and Re represents a Reynolds number of the discharged gas, relationships of <NUM> ≤ Re ≤ <NUM> and <NUM> ≤ L/D ≤ <NUM> are satisfied.

A range of UT/R described in <CIT> is a wide range of <NUM> ≤ UT/R ≤ <NUM> (<NUM> ≤ L/D ≤ <NUM>). When UT/R exceeds <NUM>, the vortex ring becomes unstable and lingers. In addition, <CIT> describes a range including a Reynolds number Re exceeding <NUM>. In fact, when the Reynolds number Re exceeds <NUM>, the vortex ring becomes significantly turbulent and moves while diffusing, thereby easily disappearing.

As illustrated in the graph of <FIG> showing results of a vortex ring generation test, the Reynolds number Re and the L/D ratio are included in a range (A) satisfying relationships of <NUM> ≤ Re ≤ <NUM> and <NUM> ≤ L/D ≤ <NUM>. Thus, a stable vortex ring including almost no straight flow is generated.

According to the invention, as illustrated in <FIG>, the Reynolds number Re and the L/D ratio are included in a range (B) satisfying relationships of <NUM> ≤ Re ≤ <NUM> and <NUM> ≤ L/D ≤ <NUM>. Thus, a vortex ring more stable than that in the range (A) is generated.

In the second aspect, relationships of <NUM> ≤ Re ≤ <NUM> and <NUM> ≤ L/D ≤ <NUM> are satisfied.

In the second aspect, as illustrated in <FIG>, the Reynolds number Re and the L/D ratio are included in a range (C) satisfying relationships of <NUM> ≤ Re ≤ <NUM> and <NUM> ≤ L/D ≤ <NUM>. Thus, a vortex ring even more stable than that in the range (B) is generated.

In the third aspect, when U represents a blow-out flow velocity (m/s), relationships of <NUM> ≤ D ≤ <NUM>, <NUM> ≤ L ≤ <NUM>, and <NUM> ≤ U ≤ <NUM> are satisfied.

In the third aspect, the Reynolds number Re and the L/D ratio are limited to any one of the ranges (A) to (C) of the first or second aspect. Then, the diameter D (mm) of the discharge port (<NUM>), the blow-out flow velocity U (m/s), and the equivalent length L (mm) of the cylinder are set to the ranges described above. Further, the results of the vortex ring generation test in <FIG> demonstrates that an outreach A (m) of the vortex ring is approximately proportional to the diameter D (m) of the discharge port (<NUM>), and the outreach A (m) of the vortex ring is about <NUM> when D = <NUM> (<NUM>). The equivalent length L (m) of the cylinder and the blow-out flow velocity U (m/s) are set to satisfy the diameter D (m) of <NUM> ≤ D ≤ <NUM>. Therefore, setting the diameter D (m) of the discharge port (<NUM>) to <NUM> ≤ D ≤ <NUM> enables a stable vortex ring achieving an outreach A of <NUM> ≤ A ≤ <NUM> (m) to be generated.

The embodiments below are merely exemplary ones in nature, and are not intended to limit the scope of the present invention as defined by the appended claims.

A vortex ring generation device (<NUM>) according to an embodiment discharges vortex ring-shaped air (a vortex ring (R)). The vortex ring generation device (<NUM>) causes a predetermined discharge component to be contained in the vortex ring (R), and then supplies the vortex ring (R) containing the discharge component to, for example, a subject. The discharge component contains substances such as a scent component, water vapor, and a substance having predetermined efficacy. The discharge component is preferably a gas, but may be a liquid. In the case of liquid, the discharge component is preferably a particulate liquid.

As illustrated in <FIG>, the vortex ring generation device (<NUM>) includes: a casing (<NUM>) having a discharge port (<NUM>); an extrusion mechanism (<NUM>); a passage forming member (<NUM>); and a component supply device (<NUM>). An air passage (gas passage) (C) through which air flows is formed inside the casing (<NUM>). In the vortex ring generation device (<NUM>), the air in the air passage (C) is extruded by the extrusion mechanism (<NUM>), formed into the vortex ring (R), and discharged from the discharge port (<NUM>). The vortex ring (R) discharged from the discharge port (<NUM>) contains the discharge component supplied from the component supply device (<NUM>).

The casing (<NUM>) includes a casing body (<NUM>) having a front side open, and a substantially plate-like front panel (<NUM>) blocking the open face on the front side of the casing body (<NUM>). The casing (<NUM>) has a hollow cuboid shape. A middle portion of the front panel (<NUM>) has the discharge port (<NUM>) in the circular shape passing therethrough in a front-rear direction. A peripheral wall (<NUM>) in a substantially cylindrical shape continues on a rear surface of the front panel (<NUM>). The peripheral wall (<NUM>) extends rearward from an inner peripheral edge (<NUM>) of the discharge port (<NUM>). The peripheral wall (<NUM>) has a tapered shape whose diameter becomes smaller frontward. An outer peripheral end of the peripheral wall (<NUM>) is fixed to an inner wall of the casing body (<NUM>). A front leading end portion of the peripheral wall (<NUM>) is continuous with the inner peripheral edge (<NUM>) of the discharge port (<NUM>). An center axis of the peripheral wall (<NUM>) substantially coincides with that of the discharge port (<NUM>).

The passage forming member (<NUM>) is disposed rearward of the peripheral wall (<NUM>). The passage forming member (<NUM>) is formed in a substantially cylindrical shape along an inner peripheral surface of the peripheral wall (<NUM>). The passage forming member (<NUM>) has a tapered shape whose diameter becomes smaller frontward (i.e., downstream of the air passage (C)). A center axis of the passage forming member (<NUM>) substantially coincides with that of the discharge port (<NUM>). The center axis of the passage forming member (<NUM>) substantially coincides with that of the peripheral wall (<NUM>).

A component chamber (<NUM>) in which the discharge component is temporarily stored is defined in space surrounded by the inner wall of the casing body (<NUM>), the peripheral wall (<NUM>), and the passage forming member (<NUM>). The component chamber (<NUM>) is a substantially cylindrical space formed around the passage forming member (<NUM>).

The extrusion mechanism (<NUM>) is disposed in the rearward inside the casing (<NUM>). The extrusion mechanism (<NUM>) has a vibration plate (<NUM>) that is a movable member, and a linear actuator (<NUM>) that displaces the vibration plate (<NUM>) back and forth. The vibration plate (<NUM>) includes a vibration plate body (<NUM>) and a frame-shaped elastic support (<NUM>) disposed at an outer peripheral edge of the vibration plate body (<NUM>). The vibration plate (<NUM>) is fixed to an inner wall of the casing (<NUM>) via the elastic support (<NUM>). The linear actuator (<NUM>) constitutes a drive unit that vibrates the vibration plate (<NUM>) back and forth. A base end (rear end) of the linear actuator (<NUM>) is supported by a rear wall of the casing body (<NUM>). A leading end (front end) of the linear actuator (<NUM>) is coupled with a center portion of the vibration plate (<NUM>).

The linear actuator (<NUM>) vibrates the vibration plate (<NUM>) between a reference position and an extrusion position. Thus, the air (indicated by an open arrow in <FIG>) in the air passage (C) is extruded forward.

The air passage (C) extends from the vibration plate (<NUM>) to the discharge port (<NUM>) in the casing (<NUM>). The air passage (C) includes a first passage (C1) and a second passage (C2) continuous with a downstream end of the first passage (C1). The first passage (C1) is surrounded by the inner wall of the casing body (<NUM>). A passage area of the first passage (C1) is constant. The second passage (C2) is formed inside the passage forming member (<NUM>). Specifically, the second passage (C2) is surrounded by the peripheral wall (<NUM>). The second passage (C2) constitutes a throttle passage whose passage area becomes smaller toward its downstream. Thus, in the second passage (C2), the flow velocity of air gradually increases toward its downstream.

The component supply device (<NUM>) supplies, into the casing (<NUM>), the discharge component to be applied to the vortex ring (R). Specifically, the component supply device (<NUM>) supplies, via a supply passage (<NUM>), the predetermined discharge component to the component chamber (<NUM>) defined inside the casing (<NUM>). The component supply device (<NUM>) includes a component generation unit (not shown) that generates the discharge component and a conveyance unit (not shown) that conveys the discharge component generated in the generation unit. The component generation unit is, for example, of a vaporizing type that vaporizes the discharge component from a component raw material. The conveyance unit is, for example, an air pump. The component supply device (<NUM>) appropriately supplies, to the component chamber (<NUM>), the discharge component whose concentration has been adjusted to a predetermined concentration.

The vortex ring generation device (<NUM>) has a component supply port (<NUM>) for supplying the discharge component to the air passage (C). In the present embodiment, the casing (<NUM>) has one component supply port (<NUM>). The component supply port (<NUM>) is located adjacent to the discharge port (<NUM>).

More specifically, the component supply port (<NUM>) is disposed between a downstream end (<NUM>) of the passage forming member (<NUM>) in a cylinder axial direction and the inner peripheral edge (<NUM>) of the discharge port (<NUM>). Thus, one annular (strictly speaking, toric) component supply port (<NUM>) is formed around the downstream end of the air passage (C). Specifically, one annular component supply port (<NUM>) is formed near the discharge port (<NUM>) in the air passage (C).

The basic operation of the vortex ring generation device (<NUM>) will be described with reference to <FIG>.

When the vortex ring generation device is in operation, the linear actuator (<NUM>) vibrates the vibration plate (<NUM>). When the vibration plate (<NUM>) deforms forward, the volume of the air passage (C) decreases. As a result, the air in the air passage (C) flows toward the discharge port (<NUM>).

The air in the first passage (C1) flows into the second passage (C2). In the second passage (C2), the passage area gradually decreases, so that the flow velocity of air increases. When the flow rate of the air increases, the pressure of the air decreases. In particular, an outlet end of the second passage (C2) has the smallest passage area. Therefore, the flow velocity of the air at the outlet end of the second passage (C2) is substantially the highest in the air passage (C). Consequently, the pressure of the air at the outlet end of the second passage (C2) is substantially the lowest.

The component supply port (<NUM>) is located at the outlet end of the second passage (C2). Therefore, when the air at low pressure passes through the component supply port (<NUM>), the discharge component in the component chamber (<NUM>) is sucked into the air passage (C) due to the difference between the pressure of the air and the pressure in the component chamber (<NUM>). When the discharge component in the component chamber (<NUM>) is sucked into the air passage (C), the discharge component is dispersed in the air passing through the component supply port (<NUM>).

The constant flow velocity of the air passing through the component supply port (<NUM>) allows a constant amount of the discharge component to be sucked from the component supply port (<NUM>). This allows the concentrations of the discharge component in the air and the vortex ring (R) to be controlled to be constant.

Since the component supply port (<NUM>) has an annular shape surrounding the air passage (C), the discharge component in the component chamber (<NUM>) is dispersed over the entire circumference of the air passage (C). Further, the discharge component is easily applied to the air flowing through the air passage (C), in particular, to the air near the outer periphery. This allows, in the air passage (C), the discharge component to be uniformly applied to the air near the outer periphery.

In this way, the air containing the discharge component reaches the discharge port (<NUM>) immediately. The air passing through the discharge port (<NUM>) has a relatively high flow velocity, whereas the air around the discharge port (<NUM>) is still. For this reason, a shearing force acts on the air at discontinuous planes of both air flows, and a vortex flow is generated adjacent to an outer peripheral edge of the discharge port (<NUM>). The vortex flow forms a vortex ring-shaped air (vortex ring (R) schematically shown in <FIG>) moving forward from the discharge port (<NUM>). The vortex ring (R) containing the discharge component is supplied to the subject.

As described above, the discharge component is supplied over the entire circumference of the air flow from the component supply port (<NUM>). Therefore, the discharge component is also dispersed in the vortex ring (R) circumferentially. This allows reduction in uneven distribution of the discharge component in the vortex ring (R). The discharge component is supplied from the component supply port (<NUM>), in particular, to the air at an outer peripheral side. This allows most of the discharge component in the component chamber (<NUM>) to be contained in the vortex ring (R).

The component supply port (<NUM>) is located adjacent to the discharge port (<NUM>). If the component supply port (<NUM>) and the discharge port (<NUM>) are relatively far away from each other, the discharge component supplied into the air may diffuse before reaching the discharge port (<NUM>), and the amount of the discharge component contained in the vortex ring (R) may decrease. To address this problem, the component supply port (<NUM>) and the discharge port (<NUM>) are made close to each other, thereby allowing reduction in such diffusion of the discharge component.

The component supply port (<NUM>) located adjacent to the discharge port (<NUM>) is located substantially at the most downstream end of the air passage (C). This allows a sufficient distance between the component supply port (<NUM>) and the extrusion mechanism (<NUM>) (strictly speaking, the vibration plate (<NUM>)) to be secured. This sufficient distance allows reduction in adhesion of the discharge component which has been supplied from the component supply port (<NUM>), to the extrusion mechanism (<NUM>) even if the air in the air passage (C) flows slightly backward due to the vibration of the vibration plate (<NUM>). This reduction allows avoidance of an increase in frequency of maintenance of the extrusion mechanism (<NUM>) and peripheral components thereof required due to adhesion of the discharge component, for example.

Since the component supply port (<NUM>) is annular in shape, the flow velocity of the air passing through the discharge port (<NUM>) is equalized circumferentially, as compared to a case in which the component supply port (<NUM>) is unevenly distributed circumferentially, for example. This allows the vortex ring (R) to be stably formed at the discharge port (<NUM>).

A vortex ring generation test was conducted using the vortex ring generation device (<NUM>) of the present embodiment. In the vortex ring generation test, the casing (<NUM>) of the vortex ring generation device (<NUM>) was formed into a hollow cuboid having about <NUM> to about <NUM> sides, and the discharge port (<NUM>) had a diameter D of <NUM>, as shown in <FIG>.

The vortex ring generation test was performed at a plurality of different values of extrusion frequency f (vibration frequencies of the vibration plate (<NUM>)) of air, ranging from <NUM> to <NUM>. When, in addition to D (mm) representing the diameter of the discharge port (<NUM>), V (m<NUM>) represents an extrusion volume, L (mm) represents a length of the cylinder having the diameter D and the volume V (equivalent length of the cylinder), and U (m/s) represents an blow-out flow velocity, the blow-out flow velocity U varied within a range of <NUM>/s to <NUM>/s in response to the different values of extrusion frequency f. Further, the extrusion volume V ranged from <NUM><NUM> to <NUM><NUM>, and the equivalent length L of the cylinder ranged from <NUM> to <NUM> (<NUM> to <NUM>).

<FIG> is a graph plotting test results (values at measurement points) where the vertical axis represents the Reynolds number Re, and the horizontal axis represents the L/D ratio. In the graph of <FIG>, representative values of the extrusion frequency f are indicated on the respective lines each of which is obtained by connecting plotted points of the same value of the extrusion frequency f. As can be seen from the representative values and the lines, the smaller the extrusion frequency f is, the smaller the Reynolds number Re is and the wider the L/D ratio range is (the smaller the line inclination angle is), whereas the larger the extrusion frequency f is, the wider the Reynolds number is and the smaller the L/D ratio range is (the larger the line inclination angle is). The Reynolds number Re is a value expressed by an equation Re = UD/v (v: coefficient of kinematic viscosity (m<NUM>/s)), and L/D is a value expressed by an equation UT/D (T: extrusion time (sec)).

When specific values of the Reynolds number Re, the L/D ratio, the extrusion frequency f, the blow-out flow velocity U, the extrusion volume V, and the equivalent length L of the cylinder, at a point P shown in the graph are shown as the representative values, Re = <NUM>, L/D = <NUM>, f = <NUM>, U = <NUM>/s, V = <NUM><NUM>, and L = <NUM> (<NUM>).

<FIG> shows a region in which a vortex ring having an outreach A of <NUM> to <NUM> (cm) was generated, a region in which a vortex ring having an outreach A of <NUM> (cm) or more was generated, a region in which a vortex ring was generated, but diffused a little more, a region in which a vortex ring was not generated, and a region in which the vibration plate (<NUM>) (linear actuator (<NUM>)) could not be fully controlled. The region in which the vortex ring was not generated is a region in which the extrusion frequency f was low. The region in which the vibration plate (<NUM>) could not be fully controlled is a region in which the extrusion frequency was high. In the range of the extrusion frequency f from <NUM> to <NUM> (Hz), a vortex ring was substantially generated, although the outreach A and the extent of diffusion were different.

In the range (A) in which the Reynolds number Re and the L/D ratio satisfy relationships of <NUM> ≤ Re ≤ <NUM> and <NUM> ≤ L/D ≤ <NUM> in <FIG>, a straight flow was hardly generated in the vortex ring, and a stable vortex ring whose lingering was hardly observed was generated. In the graph, the outreach A of the vortex ring at a point Q where Re = <NUM> and L/D = <NUM> was about <NUM>.

In the range (B) in which the Reynolds number Re and the L/D ratio satisfy relationships of <NUM> ≤ Re ≤ <NUM> and <NUM> ≤ L/D ≤ <NUM>, the straight flow generated was less than that in the range (A), and a more stable vortex ring was generated. The range (C) in which the Reynolds number Re and the L/D ratio satisfy relationships of <NUM> ≤ Re ≤ <NUM> and <NUM> ≤ L/D ≤ <NUM> substantially corresponds to the region in which the outreach A of the vortex ring was <NUM> (cm) or more, and the straight flow generated was less than that in the range (B), and a further stable vortex ring was generated.

The above results show that the present embodiment allows only the vortex ring to be conveyed to a desired place without substantially generating a straight flow. Thus, the present embodiment allows the scent component not to be conveyed to an unintended place.

Results of the test performed with the change in diameter of the discharge port (<NUM>) show that the outreach A (m) of the vortex ring increases approximately in proportion to the size of the diameter D (mm) of the discharge port (<NUM>). Therefore, when the test is performed under the same conditions as in Test Example <NUM> with the diameter D of the discharge port (<NUM>) set to <NUM> (<NUM>), the outreach A of the vortex ring at the point Q is about <NUM>.

The above-described vortex ring generation test showed that the diameter D (mm) of the discharge port (<NUM>) suitable for increasing the outreach A of the vortex ring, the blow-out flow rate U (m/s), and the equivalent length L (mm) of the cylinder were within the following ranges.

Under the above-described conditions, a stable vortex ring having the outreach A of about <NUM> was generated as described above. As described above, since the outreach A (m) of the vortex ring becomes longer in substantial proportion to the diameter D (mm) of the discharge port (<NUM>), a stable vortex ring having an outreach A of about <NUM> can be generated at D = <NUM>. Further, the range of the blow-out flow velocity U (m/s) and the range of the equivalent length L (m) of the cylinder correspond to the generation of a vortex ring having a long outreach A if the range of the diameter D is set to <NUM> ≤ D ≤ <NUM>.

As described above, in Test Example <NUM> of the vortex ring generation test of the present embodiment, the Reynolds number Re and the L/D ratio were limited to the range (A), and the diameter D (mm) of the discharge port (<NUM>), the blow-out flow velocity U (m/s), and the equivalent length L (mm) of the cylinder were set to the ranges described above. Thus, it was possible to generate the vortex ring achieving the outreach A of <NUM> ≤ A ≤ <NUM>.

It has been difficult to generate a stable vortex ring by using a known vortex ring generation device. This is because, for example, the known vortex ring generation device requires the L/D ratio set to more than <NUM>, which causes the vortex ring not to be stable and linger, and also requires the Reynolds number Re set to more than <NUM>, which causes the vortex to be turbulent and easily disappear due to its movement with dispersion.

Further, setting the Reynolds number Re and the L/D ratio within the range (B) satisfying the relationships of <NUM> ≤ Re ≤ <NUM> and <NUM> ≤ L/D ≤ <NUM> allows a vortex ring more stable than that in the range (A) to be generated.

In addition, setting the Reynolds number Re and the L/D ratio within the range (C) satisfying the relationship of <NUM> ≤ Re ≤ <NUM> and <NUM> ≤ L/D ≤ <NUM> allows a vortex ring more stable than that in the range (B) to be generated.

In particular, setting the diameter D (mm) of the discharge port (<NUM>), the blow-out flow velocity U (m/s), and the equivalent length L (mm) of the cylinder to satisfy relationships of <NUM> ≤ D ≤ <NUM>, <NUM> ≤ L ≤ <NUM>, and <NUM> ≤ U ≤ <NUM> allows a stable vortex ring achieving an outreach A of <NUM> ≤ A ≤ <NUM> to be generated.

As described above, the Reynolds number exceeding <NUM> or being a large value such as <NUM>, <NUM>, or more causes diffusion of the vortex ring even if generated, and causes the vortex ring to be less likely to be generated. By contrast, in the present embodiment, the Reynolds number is limited to a relatively small range and the L/D ratio is also limited to a value suitable for this range of the Reynolds number, thereby allowing a prominent advantage of generating a stable vortex ring to be exhibited, as compared to the known device.

Therefore, the present embodiment allows a stable vortex ring with almost no straight flow to be generated and to be conveyed to the intended place. This allows avoidance of the conveyance of the scent to the unintended places when the vortex ring containing the scent component is conveyed. As a result, the present embodiment enables avoidance of situations in which the scent remains in a wide range including a place to which the scent component is not intended to be conveyed, which causes the olfactory sense to be accustomed to the effect, or people who are in the place where the scent is not intended to be conveyed to feel discomfort.

The above embodiment may also be configured as follows.

For example, in the above embodiment, the range (A) satisfying the relationships of <NUM> ≤ Re ≤ <NUM> and <NUM> ≤ L/D ≤ <NUM>, the range (B) satisfying the relationships of <NUM> ≤ Re ≤ <NUM> and <NUM> ≤ L/D ≤ <NUM>, and the range (C) satisfying the relationships of <NUM> ≤ Re ≤ <NUM> and <NUM> ≤ L/D ≤ <NUM> are described. However, the range may be suitably changed into any range as long as it does not exceed the range (B).

In the above-described embodiment, the discharge component such as a scent component is contained in the vortex ring. However, in the vortex ring generation device of the present invention, the discharge component such as the scent component may not be included in the vortex ring.

While the embodiments and variations thereof have been described above, various changes in form and details may be made without departing from the scope of the invention which is defined by the appended claims.

Claim 1:
A vortex ring generation device comprising:
a casing (<NUM>) having a gas passage (C) and a discharge port (<NUM>); and
an extrusion mechanism (<NUM>) that is configured to extrude a gas in the gas passage (C) such that the gas is discharged from the discharge port (<NUM>) in a vortex ring shape, wherein
when V (m<NUM>) represents an extrusion volume of gas extruded by the extrusion mechanism, D (m) represents a diameter of the discharge port (<NUM>), L (m) represents a length of a cylinder having the diameter D (m) of the discharge port (<NUM>) and the volume of the extrusion volume V, and Re represents a Reynolds number of the discharged gas, the Reynolds number Re being a value expressed by an equation Re = UD/v, where U represents the blow-out flow velocity (m/s) of the discharged gas and v represents the coefficient of kinematic viscosity (m<NUM>/s) and characterized in that
a relationship of <MAT> is satisfied, and
when T reresents the extrusion time (sec),
L/D is equal to a value represented by UT/D and satisfies a relationship of <NUM> ≤ L/D ≤ <NUM>.