EP3023553A1 - Water discharge device - Google Patents
Water discharge device Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- EP3023553A1 EP3023553A1 EP15195618.2A EP15195618A EP3023553A1 EP 3023553 A1 EP3023553 A1 EP 3023553A1 EP 15195618 A EP15195618 A EP 15195618A EP 3023553 A1 EP3023553 A1 EP 3023553A1
- Authority
- EP
- European Patent Office
- Prior art keywords
- water
- flow channel
- shower
- state
- section
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
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- XLYOFNOQVPJJNP-UHFFFAOYSA-N water Substances O XLYOFNOQVPJJNP-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 title claims abstract description 242
- 238000002347 injection Methods 0.000 claims abstract description 99
- 239000007924 injection Substances 0.000 claims abstract description 99
- 230000002265 prevention Effects 0.000 claims abstract description 66
- 238000006073 displacement reaction Methods 0.000 claims abstract description 23
- 230000007246 mechanism Effects 0.000 claims abstract description 10
- 238000011144 upstream manufacturing Methods 0.000 claims description 15
- 230000007423 decrease Effects 0.000 claims description 8
- 230000002452 interceptive effect Effects 0.000 claims description 2
- 230000008261 resistance mechanism Effects 0.000 description 14
- 230000008859 change Effects 0.000 description 8
- 238000010586 diagram Methods 0.000 description 8
- 239000007788 liquid Substances 0.000 description 8
- 238000007599 discharging Methods 0.000 description 5
- 230000009467 reduction Effects 0.000 description 4
- 230000007704 transition Effects 0.000 description 4
- 230000009471 action Effects 0.000 description 3
- 238000006243 chemical reaction Methods 0.000 description 3
- 230000002542 deteriorative effect Effects 0.000 description 3
- 230000006866 deterioration Effects 0.000 description 2
- 238000013459 approach Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000003247 decreasing effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 239000000463 material Substances 0.000 description 1
- 238000000034 method Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000004048 modification Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000012986 modification Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000000149 penetrating effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 229910001220 stainless steel Inorganic materials 0.000 description 1
- 239000010935 stainless steel Substances 0.000 description 1
Images
Classifications
-
- E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
- E03—WATER SUPPLY; SEWERAGE
- E03C—DOMESTIC PLUMBING INSTALLATIONS FOR FRESH WATER OR WASTE WATER; SINKS
- E03C1/00—Domestic plumbing installations for fresh water or waste water; Sinks
- E03C1/02—Plumbing installations for fresh water
- E03C1/08—Jet regulators or jet guides, e.g. anti-splash devices
- E03C1/084—Jet regulators with aerating means
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B05—SPRAYING OR ATOMISING IN GENERAL; APPLYING FLUENT MATERIALS TO SURFACES, IN GENERAL
- B05B—SPRAYING APPARATUS; ATOMISING APPARATUS; NOZZLES
- B05B1/00—Nozzles, spray heads or other outlets, with or without auxiliary devices such as valves, heating means
- B05B1/14—Nozzles, spray heads or other outlets, with or without auxiliary devices such as valves, heating means with multiple outlet openings; with strainers in or outside the outlet opening
- B05B1/16—Nozzles, spray heads or other outlets, with or without auxiliary devices such as valves, heating means with multiple outlet openings; with strainers in or outside the outlet opening having selectively- effective outlets
- B05B1/1627—Nozzles, spray heads or other outlets, with or without auxiliary devices such as valves, heating means with multiple outlet openings; with strainers in or outside the outlet opening having selectively- effective outlets with a selecting mechanism comprising a gate valve, a sliding valve or a cock
- B05B1/1636—Nozzles, spray heads or other outlets, with or without auxiliary devices such as valves, heating means with multiple outlet openings; with strainers in or outside the outlet opening having selectively- effective outlets with a selecting mechanism comprising a gate valve, a sliding valve or a cock by relative rotative movement of the valve elements
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B05—SPRAYING OR ATOMISING IN GENERAL; APPLYING FLUENT MATERIALS TO SURFACES, IN GENERAL
- B05B—SPRAYING APPARATUS; ATOMISING APPARATUS; NOZZLES
- B05B7/00—Spraying apparatus for discharge of liquids or other fluent materials from two or more sources, e.g. of liquid and air, of powder and gas
- B05B7/02—Spray pistols; Apparatus for discharge
- B05B7/04—Spray pistols; Apparatus for discharge with arrangements for mixing liquids or other fluent materials before discharge
- B05B7/0416—Spray pistols; Apparatus for discharge with arrangements for mixing liquids or other fluent materials before discharge with arrangements for mixing one gas and one liquid
- B05B7/0425—Spray pistols; Apparatus for discharge with arrangements for mixing liquids or other fluent materials before discharge with arrangements for mixing one gas and one liquid without any source of compressed gas, e.g. the air being sucked by the pressurised liquid
-
- E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
- E03—WATER SUPPLY; SEWERAGE
- E03C—DOMESTIC PLUMBING INSTALLATIONS FOR FRESH WATER OR WASTE WATER; SINKS
- E03C1/00—Domestic plumbing installations for fresh water or waste water; Sinks
- E03C1/02—Plumbing installations for fresh water
- E03C1/10—Devices for preventing contamination of drinking-water pipes, e.g. means for aerating self-closing flushing valves
-
- E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
- E03—WATER SUPPLY; SEWERAGE
- E03C—DOMESTIC PLUMBING INSTALLATIONS FOR FRESH WATER OR WASTE WATER; SINKS
- E03C1/00—Domestic plumbing installations for fresh water or waste water; Sinks
- E03C1/02—Plumbing installations for fresh water
- E03C1/10—Devices for preventing contamination of drinking-water pipes, e.g. means for aerating self-closing flushing valves
- E03C1/102—Devices for preventing contamination of drinking-water pipes, e.g. means for aerating self-closing flushing valves using an air gap device
Definitions
- the present invention relates to a water discharge device that discharges water with bubbles.
- Japanese Patent No. 3729198 discloses a water discharge switching device that includes: a first member provided with an injection port through which water flowing from an upstream side is injected into a downstream side by being increased in flow velocity; a second member including a streaming flow channel provided with a streaming discharge port through which a single water stream is discharged, and a shower flow channel provided with a shower discharge port through which a plurality of water streams are discharged; and a flow channel switching mechanism that turns the second member with respect to the first member to switch between a first state of allowing water injected through the injection port to flow into the streaming flow channel and a second state of allowing water injected through the injection port to flow into the shower flow channel.
- Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2014-68678 discloses a shower device that includes: an air intake section through which air is sucked in by using a vacuum created as water injected through an injection port passes through the air intake section; a storage section of water with bubbles that is provided downstream of the air intake section to store water with bubbles produced by mixing of air sucked in through the air intake section into the water injected through the injection port; and a shower discharge port through which the water with bubbles stored in the storage section of water with bubbles is discharged.
- the shower device of Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2014-68678 further includes a backflow prevention section that is provided between the air intake section and the storage section of water with bubbles, with a flow channel cross-sectional area larger than that of the injection port as well as smaller than that of the storage section of water with bubbles, to prevent backflow of water with bubbles from the storage section of water with bubbles toward the air intake section.
- the backflow prevention section is provided to enable an air-passing space between a water stream injected through the injection port and an internal wall surface of the backflow prevention section to be reduced, or to enable flow velocity of air around an injected water stream, passing through the backflow prevention section, to increase. As a result, it is possible to prevent backflow of the water with bubbles stored in the storage section of water with bubbles toward the air intake section.
- a shower flow channel of a water discharge switching device such as disclosed in Japanese Patent No. 3729198
- a backflow prevention section such as disclosed in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2014-68678 to unfortunately result in finding out that the following additional problem may occur.
- an impact caused by a collision of an injected water stream with the internal wall surface of the storage section of water with bubbles may change a positional relationship between the injection port and an inlet opening of the backflow prevention section.
- the present invention is made in light of the problem described above, and it is an object of the present invention to provide a water discharge device that is capable of switching between streaming discharge of water and discharge of shower of water with bubbles, as well as capable of preventing the amount of intake air from significantly decreasing due to positional displacement between an injection port and a backflow prevention section when shower of water with bubbles is discharged, without deteriorating operability at the time of switching water discharge.
- a water discharge device in accordance with the present invention includes: a first member that is provided with an injection port through which water flowing from an upstream side is injected to a downstream side by being increased in flow velocity; a second member that includes a streaming flow channel provided with a streaming discharge port through which a single water stream is discharged, and a shower flow channel provided with a shower discharge port through which a plurality of water streams are discharged; a flow channel switching mechanism that switches between a first state of allowing water injected through the injection port to flow into the streaming flow channel, and a second state of allowing the water injected through the injection port to flow into the shower flow channel, by moving either one of the first member and the second member, the shower flow channel including: an air intake section through which air is sucked in by using a vacuum created as the water injected through the injection port passes through the air intake section; a storage section of water with bubbles that is provided downstream of the air intake section to store water with bubbles produced by mixing of air sucked in through
- the flow channel switching mechanism is provided to switch a course of a water stream (injected water stream) injected through the injection port to either one of the streaming flow channel and the shower flow channel to enable a state of discharging a single water stream (streaming) and a state of discharging a plurality of water streams (shower) to be switched.
- the backflow prevention section is provided to enable an air-passing space between an injected water stream and an inner wall of the backflow prevention section to be reduced. Accordingly, flow velocity of air around the injected water stream passing through the backflow prevention section increases to enable water with bubbles stored in the storage section of water with bubbles to be prevented from flowing back toward the air intake section.
- the positional displacement prevention section is provided to enable the positional relationship between the injection port and an inlet opening of the backflow prevention section to be prevented from being changed due to an impact caused by collision of an injected water stream with an internal wall surface of the storage section of water with bubbles. Accordingly, if a part of the injected water stream does not flow into the inside of the backflow prevention section, the part of the injected water stream that cannot flow into the inside can be prevented from colliding with an opening wall of the backflow prevention section to flow back toward the air inlet port.
- the flow channel switching mechanism moves either one of the first member and the second member in a first direction when switching the first state to the second state, and that the positional displacement prevention section is provided in the storage section of water with bubbles, and includes a guide portion for guiding the water injected through the injection port to a direction different from the first direction.
- the guide portion is provided to enable collision reaction force that occurs when an injected water stream collides with the internal wall surface of the storage section of water with bubbles to be applied in a direction in which the positional relationship between the injection port and the inlet opening of the backflow prevention section is not changed. Accordingly, it is possible to prevent the positional relationship between the injection port and the inlet opening of the backflow prevention section from being changed due to an impact of the injected water stream, without deteriorating operability at the time of switching water discharge.
- the guide portion is arranged at a position interfering with the projected plane.
- the positional relationship between the injection port and the guide portion is configured as described above to enable an injected water stream to more reliably collide with the guide portion.
- the positional displacement prevention section is provided in a connection portion between the first member and the second member, and includes an elastic member that serves as movement resistance when either one of the first member and the second member is moved.
- the elastic member is provided to enable either one of the first member and the second member to be movable by being increased in movement resistance. Accordingly, it is possible to further prevent positional displacement between the injection port and the inlet opening of the backflow prevention section, caused by an impact of water injected through the injection port, without deteriorating operability at the time of switching water discharge.
- the elastic member includes a first region to be a first resistance, and a second region to be a second resistance less than the first resistance, in a moving range when the first state and the second state are switched by the flow channel switching mechanism, and that a position at which the entire projected plane passes through the inside of the backflow prevention section is within the first region.
- a region with large movement resistance and a region with small movement resistance are provided in a moving range of the first member or the second member to allow at least a positon at which all of injected water streams pass through the inside of the backflow prevention section to be within the region with large movement resistance. Accordingly, while a position of the injection port is prevented from being displaced by an impact of water injected through the injection port, it is possible to reduce an operation load at the time of movement as compared with a case where the movement resistance is set large in the entire moving range of the first member and the second member.
- the positional displacement prevention section is acquired by forming the backflow prevention section in a flat shape in flow channel cross section so that a longitudinal direction of the flat shape is a movement direction when the first state and the second state are switched.
- the flow channel cross section of the backflow prevention section is increased in length in the movement direction when the first state and the second state are switched to enable a state where all of injected water passes through the inside of the backflow prevention section to be easily maintained even if the positional relationship between the injection port and the inlet opening of the backflow prevention section is slightly changed by an impact of water injected through the injection port.
- the flow channel cross section of the backflow prevention section is reduced in width in a direction orthogonal to the movement direction when the first state and the second state are switched, or a flow channel cross-sectional area is reduced, to also enable water with bubbles stored in the storage section of water with bubbles to be prevented from flowing back toward the air intake section.
- the positional displacement prevention section is acquired by forming the backflow prevention section in a shape in which a flow channel cross-sectional area decreases from an upstream side to a downstream side.
- an inlet opening of the injection port is large enough to enable a state where all of injected water passes through the inside of the backflow prevention section to be easily maintained even if the positional relationship between the injection port and the inlet opening of the backflow prevention section is slightly changed by an impact of water injected through the injection port.
- a flow channel cross-sectional area of a downstream portion of the backflow prevention section is small enough to enable water with bubbles stored in the storage section of water with bubbles to be prevented from flowing back toward the air intake section.
- the flow channel of the backflow prevention section is formed so that the cross-sectional area thereof decreases from the upstream side to the downstream side to enable the water collided with the inner wall by force of an injected water stream to be compressed to the downstream side to prevent the injected water stream from flowing back toward the air intake section even if a part of injected water slightly interferes with the inner wall of the downstream portion of the backflow prevention section.
- FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing an example in which the discharge port cap 1 is used in a washstand S as a component of a faucet device FC.
- FIG. 2 is a sectional view of the discharge port cap 1
- FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram showing a relationship between an injection port and flow channels for shower discharge and streaming discharge of the discharge port cap 1, and a resistance mechanism.
- the discharge port cap 1 is a component to be used in a discharge port opening portion of the faucet device FC.
- the faucet device FC as shown in FIG. 1 , for example, is attached to a washbowl of the washstand S, and is formed in an elongated cylindrical shape with stainless steel or the like to discharge water toward a bowl section B for storing or receiving water.
- the faucet device FC is attached on the periphery of the bowl section, and is connected to a water pipe through which water is supplied.
- the discharge port cap 1 is attached to a leading end of the faucet device FC so that an exterior of the discharge port cap 1 is covered with the faucet device FC, and is configured to discharge water supplied through the water pipe as a shower discharge composed of a plurality of thin water streams or as a streaming discharge that is a single collected water stream.
- a shower discharge composed of a plurality of thin water streams or as a streaming discharge that is a single collected water stream.
- the discharge port cap 1 is configured so that the shower discharge and the streaming discharge can be switched by turning the leading end using a flow channel switching mechanism 40.
- FIG. 2A is a sectional view taken along the line A-A of FIG. 3A
- FIG. 2B is a sectional view taken along the line B-B of FIG. 3C .
- the discharge port cap 1 as a whole is formed in a cylindrical shape, and includes a first cylindrical unit 10 (first member), and a second cylindrical unit 20 (second member).
- the discharge port cap 1 is configured so that the shower discharge and the streaming discharge can be switched, as described above, by turning the second cylindrical unit 20 with respect to the first cylindrical unit 10.
- FIG. 3 is a plan view of the first cylindrical unit 10 as viewed from a bottom side of the first cylindrical unit 10 (the second cylindrical unit 20 side in FIG.
- FIGS. 3A, 3B, 3C, and 3D shows a state where the second cylindrical unit 20 is turned with respect to the first cylindrical unit 10.
- the first cylindrical unit 10 as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3 , includes a plurality of injection ports 11 on the circumference thereof (here, eight ports at equal intervals) into which water is allowed to flow from the water pipe as a supply source, and in which flow velocity is increased to be injected into a downstream side.
- the injection ports 11 are provided along an outer periphery of the first cylindrical unit 10 at respective positions at which the injection ports 11 communicate with a shower flow channel 24 described later in the shower state shown in FIG. 2(B) and 3C .
- the second cylindrical unit 20 includes a streaming discharge port 21 through which water with bubbles is discharged as a single collected water stream, and a shower discharge port 22 that is arranged in an outer region of the streaming discharge port 21, and through which water with bubbles is discharged like a shower.
- the second cylindrical unit 20 includes a streaming flow channel 23 extending from the injection port 11 to the streaming discharge port 21, and the shower flow channel 24 extending from the injection port 11 to the shower discharge port 22.
- the streaming discharge port 21 is formed in a central portion of the second cylindrical unit 20, and is provided with a streaming net 21a in which a large number of fine holes are formed in a lattice shape. Water discharged through the streaming discharge port 21 is reduced in turbulence by passing through the holes of the streaming net 21a to moderately flow, thereby reducing scattering of water on the bowl section B and the like.
- the streaming net 21a applies flow channel resistance to water flowing into the streaming discharge port 21 so that water discharged into the streaming flow channel 23 described later is temporarily stored to form an air-liquid interface (described later) between the water stored and air.
- the shower discharge port 22 is composed of a plurality of fine holes formed in a leading end of the shower flow channel 24 described later, and water flowing through the shower flow channel 24 is discharged through the shower discharge port 22 as shower discharge.
- the shower discharge port 22 also applies flow channel resistance to water flowing through the shower flow channel 24 so that flow velocity is applied to water to be discharged and the water to be discharged is temporarily stored to form an air-liquid interface (described later) between the water stored and air.
- the streaming flow channel 23 guides water toward the streaming discharge port 21 formed on a central portion side from the injection ports 11 formed on an outer periphery side, and includes a flow channel wall 23a formed in a shape tapered toward the streaming discharge port 21. While the flow channel wall 23a may be basically formed in a shape tapered toward the streaming discharge port 21, in the present embodiment, the streaming net 21a is provided on its upstream side with a constricted portion 23b with a minimum diameter so as to reach the streaming discharge port 21 by increasing a diameter of a portion downstream from the constricted portion 23b.
- the streaming flow channel 23 includes a guide portion 123c that is projected from the flow channel wall 23a to divide the streaming flow channel 23 into a plurality of divided flow channels 23d on the circumstance.
- the guide portion 123c is provided with a plurality of cylindrical members (here, eight members) on the circumstance so that the cylindrical members project vertically toward the flow channel wall 23a in a tapered shape.
- the guide portion 123c as a whole is formed so as to become thinner from an injection port 11 side to a streaming discharge port 21 side.
- the guide portion 123c includes a first region 123c1 with a uniform width from the injection port 11 side toward the streaming discharge port 21, and a second region 123c2 that gradually decreases in width downstream from the first region 123c1.
- Each of the divided flow channels 23d divided by the guide portion 123c is formed with a uniform width along the first region 123c1 and the second region 123c2, described above, on an upstream side, and gradually increases in width on a downstream side. Then, the divided flow channels 23d merge into one flow channel upstream from the constricted portion 23b.
- each of the divided flow channels 23d divided by the guide portion 123c regulates a flow of water from the injection port 11 toward the streaming discharge port 21 so that the flow of water does not meander along the flow channel wall 23a as well as does not merge with a flow of water of another divided flow channel 23d.
- the guide portion 123c ideally regulates water so that the water flows toward a conical center of the flow channel wall 23a in a tapered shape, or that the water flows toward a center axis of an air-liquid interface described later at a minimum distance.
- the shower flow channel 24 guides water from the injection port 11 formed on an outer periphery side toward the shower discharge port 22. Specifically, the shower flow channel 24 is arranged outside the streaming flow channel 23 across the flow channel wall 23a in the second cylindrical unit 20.
- the shower flow channel 24 includes a plurality of cylindrical vertical holes 124a (backflow prevention section) provided on the circumstance on an upstream side thereof, and a storage section 24b2 of water with bubbles that is provided on a downstream side thereof by circumferentially penetrating through a lower portion of the second cylindrical unit 20 in a doughnut shape to temporarily store water.
- Each of the plurality of vertical holes 124a (here, eight holes at equal intervals) constituting the shower flow channel 24 is provided on an outer periphery side of the second cylindrical unit 20 to align with a position of the injection port 11 on an outer region so that water injected through the injection port 11 flows immediately below in an injection direction.
- a wall surface of the vertical hole 124a projects into the streaming flow channel 23 to serve as the guide portion 123c in the streaming flow channel 23.
- the storage section 24b2 of water with bubbles which is another component of the shower flow channel 24, projects inward in the second cylindrical unit 20 at a portion inclined in a tapered shape in the flow channel wall 23a of the streaming flow channel 23 to increase in volume. This portion projects toward the streaming flow channel 23 to form the constricted portion 23b on a streaming flow channel 23 side across the flow channel wall 23a.
- the storage section 24b2 of water with bubbles includes an annular guide portion 24c at a portion in which the flow channel wall 23a downstream from the portion expands toward the streaming discharge port 21 provided with the streaming net 21a.
- the guide portion 24c is arranged so that at least a part thereof overlaps with a cross section of the vertical hole 124a.
- the guide portion 24c and the shower discharge port 22 are formed in a fixed manner, such as the guide portion 24c that is formed as a part of the second cylindrical unit 20, and the guide portion 24c that is formed of the same member as that of the shower discharge port 22.
- the shower flow channel 24 is composed of the vertical hole 124a and the storage section 24b2 of water with bubbles, as above, to enable a flow channel cross-sectional area on an upstream side (vertical hole 124a) to be smaller than a flow channel cross-sectional area on a downstream side (storage section 24b2 of water with bubbles), in the shower flow channel 24. Accordingly, at the time of the shower discharge, water flowing into the shower flow channel 24 through the injection port 11 can be powerfully injected through the vertical hole 124a toward the storage section 24b2 of water with bubbles, so that it is possible to prevent water in the shower flow channel 24 from flowing back toward the injection port 11 by flow channel resistance in the shower discharge port 22.
- the vertical hole 124a is formed so that a flow channel cross-sectional area thereof is slightly larger than that of the injection port 11 to have a space for taking in air in a periphery thereof.
- the second cylindrical unit 20 is allowed to be easily moved (or to be easily turned). If the second cylindrical unit 20 is moved, the second cylindrical unit 20 positioned for the shower state may be displaced to a direction of a position for the streaming state.
- water is injected through the injection port 11 toward the shower flow channel 24 to allow vacuum to occur on the streaming flow channel 23 side, and then air is allowed to flow into the shower flow channel 24 through the streaming discharge port 21 via the streaming flow channel 23 by using the vacuum to create water with bubbles.
- the amount of mixing of bubbles in the shower discharge may be reduced.
- the present embodiment includes a positional displacement prevention section that prevents the positional relationship between the injection port 11 and the vertical hole 124a from being changed due to an impact of water injected through the injection port 11.
- the guide portion 24c described above is configured to guide water injected through the injection port 11 radially outward. That is, water is guided in a direction different from a turn direction (first direction) of the second cylindrical unit 20 when the first state is switched to the second state. Accordingly, it is possible to apply collision reaction force that occurs when water injected through the injection port 11 collides with an internal wall surface of the storage section 24b2 of water with bubbles in a direction in which the positional relationship between the injection port 11 and the vertical hole 124a is not changed.
- the present embodiment includes a resistance mechanism (an elastic member 50, such as rubber and a spring) in a connection portion between the first cylindrical unit 10 and the second cylindrical unit 20, the resistance mechanism applying resistance to movement of changing a position of each of the units so that a positional relationship between the first cylindrical unit 10 and the second cylindrical unit 20 falls within a predetermined range.
- the predetermined range is set within an allowable range of a change of the positional relationship between the injection port 11 and the vertical hole 124a, in which the amount of mixing of bubbles required at the time of the shower discharge can be secured.
- the predetermined range tends to decrease as a flow channel cross-sectional area of the vertical hole 124a decreases.
- the resistance mechanism in the present embodiment includes a protrusion 131 of the second cylindrical unit 20, and protrusions 112a and 112b of the first cylindrical unit 10.
- the protrusion 131 of the second cylindrical unit 20 is provided in a surface of a frame portion 30 that is formed in an edge of the second cylindrical unit 20 so as to surround an outer periphery of the first cylindrical unit 10, the surface facing the first cylindrical unit 10.
- the frame portion 30 may be provided so as to turn in conjunction with the second cylindrical unit 20 when the second cylindrical unit 20 is turned, and may be a member attached to the second cylindrical unit 20, or may be formed integrally with the second cylindrical unit 20.
- the protrusions 112a and 112b of the first cylindrical unit 10 are provided at respective positions allowing the protrusions 112a and 112b to be brought into contact with the protrusion 131 of the second cylindrical unit 20.
- the protrusions 112a and 112b are designed so as to be pressed down in a direction to a center axial of the first cylindrical unit 10 upon receiving a load from above a tip of each of them, and so as to return by elastic force if the load is released.
- one side of the protrusion 131 of the frame portion 30 is brought into contact with a stopper portion 113a of the first cylindrical unit 10 not to allow the second cylindrical unit 20 and the frame portion 30 to turn further in a counterclockwise direction in FIG. 3C .
- the other side of the protrusion 131 of the frame portion 30 is brought into contact with the protrusion 112a of the first cylindrical unit 10 to allow resistance by elastic force of the protrusion 112a to be applied to movement for turning the second cylindrical unit 20 and the frame portion 30 in a clockwise direction in FIG. 3C .
- one side of the protrusion 131 of the frame portion 30 is brought into contact with a stopper portion 113b of the first cylindrical unit 10 not to allow the second cylindrical unit 20 and the frame portion 30 to turn further in a clockwise direction in FIG. 3A .
- the other side of the protrusion 131 of the frame portion 30 is brought into contact with the protrusion 112b of the first cylindrical unit 10 to allow resistance by elastic force of the protrusion 112b to be applied to movement for turning the second cylindrical unit 20 and the frame portion 30 in a counterclockwise direction in FIG. 3A .
- a state of applying resistance in this way is defined as a first resistance portion.
- FIGS. 3B and 3D show a transition state from the streaming state to the shower state, or a transition state from the shower state to the streaming state.
- no resistance is applied to movement for turning the second cylindrical unit 20 and the frame portion 30 until the protrusion 131 of the frame portion 30 is brought into contact with either one of the protrusions 112a and 112b of the first cylindrical unit 10.
- a resistance portion that applies resistance less than the first resistance portion to movement for turning the second cylindrical unit 20 and the frame portion 30 in this way, is defined as a second resistance portion.
- the resistance mechanism shown in FIG. 3 is provided with the two protrusions 112a and 112b of the first cylindrical unit 10 to prevent movement of the second cylindrical unit 20 during usage of each of the streaming state and the shower state.
- the protrusions 112a and 112b apply resistance even at the time of switching to the streaming state or the shower state, and thus operability at the time of switching may be deteriorated.
- the shower state is further required to prevent movement of the second cylindrical unit 20 at the time of discharging water, because the shower state has a small allowable range of positional displacement between the injection port 11 and the vertical hole 124a, as well as allows the second cylindrical unit 20 to be easily moved by water injected through the vertical hole 124a.
- the resistance mechanism may apply resistance during the shower state, in the streaming state and the shower state.
- the resistance mechanism applies resistance in a region in which the streaming state is switched to the shower state. Accordingly, it is possible to prevent the positional relationship between the first cylindrical unit 10 and the second cylindrical unit 20 from being changed during the shower state, so that it is possible to prevent possible reduction in the amount of mixing of bubbles, caused by a change of the positional relationship between the first cylindrical unit 10 and the second cylindrical unit 20 at the time of the shower discharge.
- the resistance mechanism includes the first region to be a first resistance, and the second region to be a second resistance less than resistance in the first resistance portion, the first resistance may be applied at the time of the shower state. Reducing a region to which resistance is applied enables force required at the time of switching to the shower state to be reduced, thereby enabling deterioration of operability to be prevented.
- the resistance mechanism gradually increases resistance to apply larger resistance as the streaming state approaches to the shower state. Accordingly, struck feeling by resistance at the time of switching to the shower state can be lessened, so that it is possible to prevent a user from recognizing that operation is completed by mistake to enable deterioration of operability to be prevented.
- a change of a positional relationship between the first cylindrical unit 10 and the second cylindrical unit 20 can fall within a predetermined range, whereby it is also possible to prevent possible reduction in the amount of mixing of bubbles caused by the change of the positional relationship between the first cylindrical unit 10 and the second cylindrical unit 20.
- a variation of the resistance mechanism will be specifically described with reference to FIG. 4 .
- FIG. 4 shows a variation (second embodiment) of the resistance mechanism shown in FIG. 3 .
- a resistance mechanism of the variation includes a raised portion 231 of the second cylindrical unit 20, and a protrusion 212 of the first cylindrical unit 10.
- the raised portion 231 of the second cylindrical unit 20 is formed in a surface of the frame portion 30, the surface facing the first cylindrical unit 10.
- the raised portion 231 is provided with stopper portions 231a and 231b at opposite ends thereof in a longitudinal direction.
- One stopper portion 231a is formed so as to be substantially perpendicular to a ridge, and the other stopper portion 231b is formed at an angle from an end of the ridge.
- the protrusion 212 of the first cylindrical unit 10 is provided at a position allowing the protrusion 212 to be brought into contact with the raised portion 231 of the second cylindrical unit 20.
- the protrusion 212 is designed so as to be pressed down in a direction to the center axial of the first cylindrical unit 10 upon receiving a load from above its tip, and so as to return by elastic force if the load is released.
- the stopper portion 231a of the frame portion 30 is brought into contact with a stopper portion 213a of the first cylindrical unit 10 not to allow the second cylindrical unit 20 and the frame portion 30 to turn further in a counterclockwise direction in FIG. 4C .
- the stopper portion 231b of the frame portion 30 is brought into contact with the protrusion 212 of the first cylindrical unit 10 to allow resistance by elastic force of the protrusion 212 to be applied to movement for turning the second cylindrical unit 20 and the frame portion 30 in a clockwise direction in FIG. 4C .
- the stopper portion 231b of the frame portion 30 is brought into contact with a stopper portion 213b of the first cylindrical unit 10 not to allow the second cylindrical unit 20 and the frame portion 30 to turn further in a clockwise direction in FIG. 4A .
- the protrusion 212 of the first cylindrical unit 10 is maintained in a state of being pressed down by the raised portion 231 of the frame portion 30 to allow the second cylindrical unit 20 and the frame portion 30 to move.
- FIGS. 4B and 4D show a transition state from the streaming state to the shower state, or a transition state from the shower state to the streaming state.
- the protrusion 212 of the first cylindrical unit 10 is maintained in a state of being pressed down by the raised portion 231 of the frame portion 30 to allow the second cylindrical unit 20 and the frame portion 30 to move.
- FIG. 5 is a graph showing a relationship between a discharge state and operation resistance in a variation different from that described above.
- the resistance mechanism applies resistance to movement for turning the second cylindrical unit 20 and the frame portion 30 in a region R in which a state close to the shower state is switched to the shower state in an intermediate region between the streaming state and the shower state.
- the resistance applied in the region R increases toward the shower state.
- FIGS. 6A and 7A show a discharge state where water W is allowed to flow through the streaming flow channel 23 to be mixed with air Air from the shower flow channel 24, as the streaming state of the first state.
- FIGS. 6B and 7B show a discharge state where water W is allowed to flow through the shower flow channel 24 to be mixed with air Air from the streaming flow channel 23, as the shower state of the second state.
- the shower discharge port 22 serves as an air inlet port
- the shower flow channel 24 serves as an air passage. That is, as shown in FIGS. 6A and 7A , water is injected through the injection port 11 toward the streaming flow channel 23 to cause vacuum in the shower flow channel 24, so that air Air is allowed to flow through the shower discharge port 22 toward the streaming flow channel 23 via the shower flow channel 24.
- the air Air flows into the streaming flow channel 23 from the storage section 24b2 of water with bubbles through the vertical hole 124a to be sucked into a flow of the water W to form bubbles.
- the streaming discharge port 21 water temporarily stays on the streaming net 21a to form an air-liquid interface Ia.
- the water W rushes into the air-liquid interface Ia to be mixed with the foamy air Air to form water Bw with bubbles.
- the water Bw with bubbles passes through the streaming net 21a to be sequentially discharged through the streaming discharge port 21.
- the streaming discharge port 21 serves as an air inlet port
- the streaming flow channel 23 serves as an air passage. That is, as shown in FIGS. 6B , water is injected through the injection port 11 toward the shower flow channel 24 to cause vacuum in the streaming flow channel 23, so that air Air is allowed to flow through the streaming discharge port 21 toward the shower flow channel 24 via the streaming flow channel 23.
- the air Air flows into the vertical hole 124a of the shower flow channel 24 through the streaming net 21a, while passing through the streaming flow channel 23, to be sucked into a flow of the water W to form bubbles.
- water temporarily stays in the storage section 24b2 of water with bubbles by flow channel resistance in the shower discharge port 22 to form an air-liquid interface Ib.
- the water W flows into the air-liquid interface Ib to be mixed with the foamy air Air to form water Bw with bubbles.
- the water Bw with bubbles passes through the shower discharge port 22 to be discharged outside.
- the storage section 24b2 of water with bubbles is configured to guide water injected through the injection port 11 radially outward by using the guide portion 24c described above, so that it is possible to apply collision reaction force that occurs when the water injected through the injection port 11 collides with an internal wall surface of the storage section 24b2 of water with bubbles in a direction in which the positional relationship between the injection port 11 and the vertical hole 124a is not changed.
- the discharge port cap 1 of the present embodiment allows the shower state shown in FIG. 3A to be switched to the streaming state shown in FIG. 3C , or allows the streaming state shown in FIG. 3C to be switched to the shower state shown in FIG. 3A , by turning the second cylindrical unit 20 with respect to the first cylindrical unit 10, whereby the streaming discharge and the shower discharge is performed.
- the embodiments of the present invention are capable of the following: switching between the streaming state where water is allowed to flow into the streaming flow channel 23 through the injection port 11 to be mixed with air from the shower flow channel 24, and the shower state where water is allowed to flow into the shower flow channel 24 through the injection port 11 to be mixed with air from the streaming flow channel 23 by changing a relative positional relationship between the first cylindrical unit 10 and the second cylindrical unit 20; preventing backflow of water in the shower flow channel 24 in the shower discharge by setting the flow channel cross-sectional area of the shower flow channel 24 on the upstream side to be less than the flow channel cross-sectional area thereof on the downstream side; and applying resistance to movement for changing a positional relationship between the first cylindrical unit 10 and the second cylindrical unit 20 so that the positional relationship between the first cylindrical unit 10 and the second cylindrical unit 20 falls within a predetermined range, by providing a positional displacement prevention section (the guide portion 24c and a resistance mechanism).
- a change of the positional relationship between the first cylindrical unit 10 and the second cylindrical unit 20 at the time of discharging water can fall within a predetermined range, so that it is possible to prevent possible reduction in the amount of mixing of bubbles, caused by a change of the positional relationship between the first cylindrical unit 10 and the second cylindrical unit 20.
- the discharge port cap 1 in accordance with a third embodiment of the present invention will be described.
- the third embodiment is different from the embodiments described above in that a vertical hole (backflow prevention section) 324a is formed in a flat shape in a flow channel cross section as a positional displacement prevention section so that a longitudinal direction of the flow channel cross section is a turn direction (first direction) of the second cylindrical unit 20 when the first state is switched to the second state
- other structures are the same as those of the embodiments described above.
- description of the structures common to the embodiments described above will be omitted below.
- the vertical hole 324a is formed in a flat shape in flow channel cross section so that the longitudinal direction of the flow channel cross section is the turn direction (first direction) of the second cylindrical unit 20 when the first state is switched to the second state.
- the vertical hole 324a is formed in the flat shape in flow channel cross section so that a width in a lateral direction orthogonal to the longitudinal direction of the vertical hole 324a is substantially uniform.
- FIG. 9 is a sectional views showing an outline of action of a shower flow channel of the discharge port cap. As shown in FIGS. 9A and 9B , if the injection port 11 is arranged on a center line L of the vertical hole 324a, water from the injection port 11 is injected into the center of the vertical hole 324a to enable water with bubbles to be discharged without reducing the amount of mixing of bubbles.
- the flat shape of a flow channel cross-sectional shape of the vertical hole 324a enables a state of allowing all of injected water to flow inside the vertical hole 324a to be easily maintained.
- the flow channel cross section of the vertical hole 324a is reduced in width in a direction orthogonal to the turn direction (first direction) of the second cylindrical unit 20 when the first state is switched to the second state (reduced in flow channel cross-sectional area) to enable water with bubbles stored in the storage section 24b2 of water with bubbles to be prevented from flowing back toward an air intake section 602.
- the discharge port cap 1 in accordance with a fourth embodiment of the present invention will be described.
- the fourth embodiment is different from the embodiments described above in a shape of a vertical hole (backflow prevention section) 424a in which a flow channel cross-sectional area thereof is reduced from an upstream side 425a to a downstream side 425b, as a positional displacement prevention section, other structures are the same as those of the embodiments described above. Thus, description of the structures common to the embodiments described above will be omitted below.
- the vertical hole 424a of the present embodiment is formed in an inverted conical shape in flow channel cross section so as to gradually decrease in diameter from an upstream side to a downstream side.
- an inlet opening 426 of the vertical hole is large enough to enable a state where all of injected water passes through the inside of the vertical hole 424a to be easily maintained even if the positional relationship between the injection port 11 and the vertical hole (backflow prevention section) 424a is slightly changed by an impact of water injected through the injection port 11.
- a flow channel cross-sectional area of a downstream portion of the vertical hole 424a is small enough to enable water with bubbles stored in the storage section 24b2 of water with bubbles to be prevented from flowing back toward an air intake section 602.
- the flow channel of the vertical hole 424a is formed so that the cross-sectional area thereof decreases from the upstream side 425a to the downstream side 425b to enable the water collided with the inner wall by force of injected water to be compressed to the downstream side to prevent the injected water from flowing back toward the air intake section 602 even if a part of the injected water slightly interferes with the inner wall of the downstream portion of the vertical hole 424.
- the shower discharge and the streaming discharge may be switched as described above by sliding the second cylindrical unit 20 with respect to the first cylindrical unit 10.
- the shower discharge and the streaming discharge may be switched as described above by turning the first cylindrical unit 10 with respect to the second cylindrical unit 20.
- no bubble for mixing air may be mixed into water flowing through the streaming flow channel 23 to discharge a single water stream without a bubble. That is, as far as having a feature of the present invention, a modification in which a person skilled in the art appropriately makes a design change to these specific examples is included in the scope of the present invention.
- each of the elements provided in each of the specific examples described above and its arrangement, material, condition, shape, and the like, are not limited to the examples shown, and may be appropriately changed.
- each of the elements provided in each of the specific examples described above may be combined with each other as far as technically possible, so that a combination of the elements is also included in the scope of the present invention as far as including a feature of the present invention.
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Abstract
Description
- The present invention relates to a water discharge device that discharges water with bubbles.
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Japanese Patent No. 3729198 -
Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2014-68678 - The shower device of
Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2014-68678 - The present inventors have studied a case where a shower flow channel of a water discharge switching device, such as disclosed in
Japanese Patent No. 3729198 Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2014-68678 - With respect to the problem described above, there is a conceivable method of increasing movement resistance between the first member and the second member to prevent positional displacement. However, if the movement resistance is excessively increased in consideration of only prevention of positional displacement, operability at the time of switching water discharge is deteriorated, whereby it is not preferable. Meanwhile, reduction in the movement resistance between the first member and the second member for improving operability at the time of switching water discharge may cause a problem in which positional displacement between the injection port and the backflow prevention section occurs during discharging shower of water with bubbles to significantly reduce the amount of intake air, as described above.
- The present invention is made in light of the problem described above, and it is an object of the present invention to provide a water discharge device that is capable of switching between streaming discharge of water and discharge of shower of water with bubbles, as well as capable of preventing the amount of intake air from significantly decreasing due to positional displacement between an injection port and a backflow prevention section when shower of water with bubbles is discharged, without deteriorating operability at the time of switching water discharge.
- In order to solve the problem described above, a water discharge device in accordance with the present invention includes: a first member that is provided with an injection port through which water flowing from an upstream side is injected to a downstream side by being increased in flow velocity; a second member that includes a streaming flow channel provided with a streaming discharge port through which a single water stream is discharged, and a shower flow channel provided with a shower discharge port through which a plurality of water streams are discharged; a flow channel switching mechanism that switches between a first state of allowing water injected through the injection port to flow into the streaming flow channel, and a second state of allowing the water injected through the injection port to flow into the shower flow channel, by moving either one of the first member and the second member, the shower flow channel including: an air intake section through which air is sucked in by using a vacuum created as the water injected through the injection port passes through the air intake section; a storage section of water with bubbles that is provided downstream of the air intake section to store water with bubbles produced by mixing of air sucked in through the air intake section into the water injected through the injection port; a backflow prevention section that is provided between the air intake section and the storage section of water with bubbles, with a flow channel cross-sectional area larger than that of the injection port as well as smaller than that of the storage section of water with bubbles, to prevent backflow of water with bubbles from the storage section of water with bubbles toward the air intake section; the shower discharge port through which water with bubbles stored in the storage section of water with bubbles is discharged; and a positional displacement prevention section that prevents at least a part of a projected plane, formed by projecting a downstream end of the injection port in an injection direction, from being displaced outside the backflow prevention section due to an impact caused by the water injected through the injection port, in a state where water at a maximum flow rate is supplied into the injection port, and the entire projected plane passes through an inside of the backflow prevention section.
- According to the present invention, the flow channel switching mechanism is provided to switch a course of a water stream (injected water stream) injected through the injection port to either one of the streaming flow channel and the shower flow channel to enable a state of discharging a single water stream (streaming) and a state of discharging a plurality of water streams (shower) to be switched.
- In addition, according to the present invention, the backflow prevention section is provided to enable an air-passing space between an injected water stream and an inner wall of the backflow prevention section to be reduced. Accordingly, flow velocity of air around the injected water stream passing through the backflow prevention section increases to enable water with bubbles stored in the storage section of water with bubbles to be prevented from flowing back toward the air intake section.
- Further, according to the present invention, the positional displacement prevention section is provided to enable the positional relationship between the injection port and an inlet opening of the backflow prevention section to be prevented from being changed due to an impact caused by collision of an injected water stream with an internal wall surface of the storage section of water with bubbles. Accordingly, if a part of the injected water stream does not flow into the inside of the backflow prevention section, the part of the injected water stream that cannot flow into the inside can be prevented from colliding with an opening wall of the backflow prevention section to flow back toward the air inlet port.
- In an aspect of the water discharge device in accordance with the present invention, it is preferable that the flow channel switching mechanism moves either one of the first member and the second member in a first direction when switching the first state to the second state, and that the positional displacement prevention section is provided in the storage section of water with bubbles, and includes a guide portion for guiding the water injected through the injection port to a direction different from the first direction.
- In this preferable aspect, the guide portion is provided to enable collision reaction force that occurs when an injected water stream collides with the internal wall surface of the storage section of water with bubbles to be applied in a direction in which the positional relationship between the injection port and the inlet opening of the backflow prevention section is not changed. Accordingly, it is possible to prevent the positional relationship between the injection port and the inlet opening of the backflow prevention section from being changed due to an impact of the injected water stream, without deteriorating operability at the time of switching water discharge.
- In another aspect of the water discharge device in accordance with the present invention, it is preferable that the guide portion is arranged at a position interfering with the projected plane.
- In this preferable aspect, the positional relationship between the injection port and the guide portion is configured as described above to enable an injected water stream to more reliably collide with the guide portion.
- In yet another aspect of the water discharge device in accordance with the present invention, it is preferable that the positional displacement prevention section is provided in a connection portion between the first member and the second member, and includes an elastic member that serves as movement resistance when either one of the first member and the second member is moved.
- In this preferable aspect, the elastic member is provided to enable either one of the first member and the second member to be movable by being increased in movement resistance. Accordingly, it is possible to further prevent positional displacement between the injection port and the inlet opening of the backflow prevention section, caused by an impact of water injected through the injection port, without deteriorating operability at the time of switching water discharge.
- In yet another aspect of the water discharge device in accordance with the present invention, it is preferable that the elastic member includes a first region to be a first resistance, and a second region to be a second resistance less than the first resistance, in a moving range when the first state and the second state are switched by the flow channel switching mechanism, and that a position at which the entire projected plane passes through the inside of the backflow prevention section is within the first region.
- In this preferable aspect, a region with large movement resistance and a region with small movement resistance are provided in a moving range of the first member or the second member to allow at least a positon at which all of injected water streams pass through the inside of the backflow prevention section to be within the region with large movement resistance. Accordingly, while a position of the injection port is prevented from being displaced by an impact of water injected through the injection port, it is possible to reduce an operation load at the time of movement as compared with a case where the movement resistance is set large in the entire moving range of the first member and the second member.
- In yet another aspect of the water discharge device in accordance with the present invention, it is preferable that the positional displacement prevention section is acquired by forming the backflow prevention section in a flat shape in flow channel cross section so that a longitudinal direction of the flat shape is a movement direction when the first state and the second state are switched.
- In this preferable aspect, the flow channel cross section of the backflow prevention section is increased in length in the movement direction when the first state and the second state are switched to enable a state where all of injected water passes through the inside of the backflow prevention section to be easily maintained even if the positional relationship between the injection port and the inlet opening of the backflow prevention section is slightly changed by an impact of water injected through the injection port. In addition, the flow channel cross section of the backflow prevention section is reduced in width in a direction orthogonal to the movement direction when the first state and the second state are switched, or a flow channel cross-sectional area is reduced, to also enable water with bubbles stored in the storage section of water with bubbles to be prevented from flowing back toward the air intake section.
- In yet another aspect of the water discharge device in accordance with the present invention, it is preferable that the positional displacement prevention section is acquired by forming the backflow prevention section in a shape in which a flow channel cross-sectional area decreases from an upstream side to a downstream side.
- In this preferable aspect, an inlet opening of the injection port is large enough to enable a state where all of injected water passes through the inside of the backflow prevention section to be easily maintained even if the positional relationship between the injection port and the inlet opening of the backflow prevention section is slightly changed by an impact of water injected through the injection port. In addition, a flow channel cross-sectional area of a downstream portion of the backflow prevention section is small enough to enable water with bubbles stored in the storage section of water with bubbles to be prevented from flowing back toward the air intake section. Further, the flow channel of the backflow prevention section is formed so that the cross-sectional area thereof decreases from the upstream side to the downstream side to enable the water collided with the inner wall by force of an injected water stream to be compressed to the downstream side to prevent the injected water stream from flowing back toward the air intake section even if a part of injected water slightly interferes with the inner wall of the downstream portion of the backflow prevention section.
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FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a faucet unit provided with a discharge port cap in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention; -
FIG. 2 is a sectional view showing a general structure of the discharge port cap shown inFIG. 1 ; -
FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram showing a relationship between an injection port, a shower flow channel, and a streaming flow channel of the discharge port cap shown inFIG. 1 ; -
FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram showing a second embodiment of the discharge port cap shown inFIG. 1 ; -
FIG. 5 is a graph showing a relationship between a discharge state and operation resistance when the discharge port cap shown inFIG. 4 is used; -
FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram showing an outline of action of discharge port cap shown inFIG. 1 ; -
FIG. 7 is a block diagram showing a general configuration of the discharge port cap shown inFIG. 1 ; -
FIG. 8 is a schematic diagram showing a third embodiment of the discharge port cap shown inFIG. 1 ; -
FIG. 9 is a schematic diagram showing action when the discharge port cap shown inFIG. 8 is used; and -
FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram showing a fourth embodiment of the discharge port cap shown inFIG. 1 . - Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. For easy understanding of description, the same component in each of the drawings is designated by the same reference numeral as far as possible without duplicated description on the component.
- An outline of a discharge port cap (water discharge device) 1 of an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to
FIGS. 1 to 3 .FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing an example in which thedischarge port cap 1 is used in a washstand S as a component of a faucet device FC.FIG. 2 is a sectional view of thedischarge port cap 1, andFIG. 3 is a schematic diagram showing a relationship between an injection port and flow channels for shower discharge and streaming discharge of thedischarge port cap 1, and a resistance mechanism. - The
discharge port cap 1 is a component to be used in a discharge port opening portion of the faucet device FC. The faucet device FC, as shown inFIG. 1 , for example, is attached to a washbowl of the washstand S, and is formed in an elongated cylindrical shape with stainless steel or the like to discharge water toward a bowl section B for storing or receiving water. The faucet device FC is attached on the periphery of the bowl section, and is connected to a water pipe through which water is supplied. - As shown in
FIG. 1 , thedischarge port cap 1 is attached to a leading end of the faucet device FC so that an exterior of thedischarge port cap 1 is covered with the faucet device FC, and is configured to discharge water supplied through the water pipe as a shower discharge composed of a plurality of thin water streams or as a streaming discharge that is a single collected water stream. In each of the shower discharge and the streaming discharge, air sucked in from the outside is foamed and mixed into water to form water with bubbles, and then the water with bubbles is discharged. Thedischarge port cap 1 is configured so that the shower discharge and the streaming discharge can be switched by turning the leading end using a flowchannel switching mechanism 40. - Subsequently, with reference to
FIGS. 2 and3 , specific structure of thedischarge port cap 1 will be described.FIG. 2A is a sectional view taken along the line A-A ofFIG. 3A , andFIG. 2B is a sectional view taken along the line B-B ofFIG. 3C . - The
discharge port cap 1 as a whole is formed in a cylindrical shape, and includes a first cylindrical unit 10 (first member), and a second cylindrical unit 20 (second member). Thedischarge port cap 1 is configured so that the shower discharge and the streaming discharge can be switched, as described above, by turning the secondcylindrical unit 20 with respect to the firstcylindrical unit 10. - A state shown in each of
FIGS. 2A and3A is a first state in which water is allowed to flow through a streaming flow channel, and air from a shower flow channel is mixed into the water (hereinafter referred to as a "streaming state"), and a state shown in each ofFIGS. 2B and3C is a second state in which water is allowed to flow through the shower flow channel, and air from the streaming flow channel is mixed into the water (hereinafter referred to as a "shower state").FIG. 3 is a plan view of the firstcylindrical unit 10 as viewed from a bottom side of the first cylindrical unit 10 (the secondcylindrical unit 20 side inFIG. 2 ), and the secondcylindrical unit 20 is shown with a broken line by allowing a position of the secondcylindrical unit 20 to be projected on the firstcylindrical unit 10. Each ofFIGS. 3A, 3B, 3C, and 3D , shows a state where the secondcylindrical unit 20 is turned with respect to the firstcylindrical unit 10. - The first
cylindrical unit 10, as shown inFIGS. 2 and3 , includes a plurality ofinjection ports 11 on the circumference thereof (here, eight ports at equal intervals) into which water is allowed to flow from the water pipe as a supply source, and in which flow velocity is increased to be injected into a downstream side. Theinjection ports 11 are provided along an outer periphery of the firstcylindrical unit 10 at respective positions at which theinjection ports 11 communicate with ashower flow channel 24 described later in the shower state shown inFIG. 2(B) and3C . - The second
cylindrical unit 20 includes astreaming discharge port 21 through which water with bubbles is discharged as a single collected water stream, and ashower discharge port 22 that is arranged in an outer region of thestreaming discharge port 21, and through which water with bubbles is discharged like a shower. In addition, the secondcylindrical unit 20 includes astreaming flow channel 23 extending from theinjection port 11 to thestreaming discharge port 21, and theshower flow channel 24 extending from theinjection port 11 to theshower discharge port 22. - The
streaming discharge port 21 is formed in a central portion of the secondcylindrical unit 20, and is provided with a streaming net 21a in which a large number of fine holes are formed in a lattice shape. Water discharged through thestreaming discharge port 21 is reduced in turbulence by passing through the holes of the streaming net 21a to moderately flow, thereby reducing scattering of water on the bowl section B and the like. In addition, the streaming net 21a applies flow channel resistance to water flowing into thestreaming discharge port 21 so that water discharged into thestreaming flow channel 23 described later is temporarily stored to form an air-liquid interface (described later) between the water stored and air. - The
shower discharge port 22 is composed of a plurality of fine holes formed in a leading end of theshower flow channel 24 described later, and water flowing through theshower flow channel 24 is discharged through theshower discharge port 22 as shower discharge. Theshower discharge port 22 also applies flow channel resistance to water flowing through theshower flow channel 24 so that flow velocity is applied to water to be discharged and the water to be discharged is temporarily stored to form an air-liquid interface (described later) between the water stored and air. - The
streaming flow channel 23 guides water toward thestreaming discharge port 21 formed on a central portion side from theinjection ports 11 formed on an outer periphery side, and includes aflow channel wall 23a formed in a shape tapered toward thestreaming discharge port 21. While theflow channel wall 23a may be basically formed in a shape tapered toward thestreaming discharge port 21, in the present embodiment, the streaming net 21a is provided on its upstream side with aconstricted portion 23b with a minimum diameter so as to reach thestreaming discharge port 21 by increasing a diameter of a portion downstream from theconstricted portion 23b. - The
streaming flow channel 23 includes aguide portion 123c that is projected from theflow channel wall 23a to divide thestreaming flow channel 23 into a plurality of dividedflow channels 23d on the circumstance. Theguide portion 123c is provided with a plurality of cylindrical members (here, eight members) on the circumstance so that the cylindrical members project vertically toward theflow channel wall 23a in a tapered shape. Thus, theguide portion 123c as a whole is formed so as to become thinner from aninjection port 11 side to astreaming discharge port 21 side. In the present embodiment, particularly, theguide portion 123c includes a first region 123c1 with a uniform width from theinjection port 11 side toward thestreaming discharge port 21, and a second region 123c2 that gradually decreases in width downstream from the first region 123c1. - Each of the divided
flow channels 23d divided by theguide portion 123c is formed with a uniform width along the first region 123c1 and the second region 123c2, described above, on an upstream side, and gradually increases in width on a downstream side. Then, the dividedflow channels 23d merge into one flow channel upstream from theconstricted portion 23b. - In this way, each of the divided
flow channels 23d divided by theguide portion 123c regulates a flow of water from theinjection port 11 toward thestreaming discharge port 21 so that the flow of water does not meander along theflow channel wall 23a as well as does not merge with a flow of water of another dividedflow channel 23d. Theguide portion 123c ideally regulates water so that the water flows toward a conical center of theflow channel wall 23a in a tapered shape, or that the water flows toward a center axis of an air-liquid interface described later at a minimum distance. - The
shower flow channel 24 guides water from theinjection port 11 formed on an outer periphery side toward theshower discharge port 22. Specifically, theshower flow channel 24 is arranged outside thestreaming flow channel 23 across theflow channel wall 23a in the secondcylindrical unit 20. Theshower flow channel 24 includes a plurality of cylindricalvertical holes 124a (backflow prevention section) provided on the circumstance on an upstream side thereof, and a storage section 24b2 of water with bubbles that is provided on a downstream side thereof by circumferentially penetrating through a lower portion of the secondcylindrical unit 20 in a doughnut shape to temporarily store water. - Each of the plurality of
vertical holes 124a (here, eight holes at equal intervals) constituting theshower flow channel 24 is provided on an outer periphery side of the secondcylindrical unit 20 to align with a position of theinjection port 11 on an outer region so that water injected through theinjection port 11 flows immediately below in an injection direction. A wall surface of thevertical hole 124a projects into thestreaming flow channel 23 to serve as theguide portion 123c in thestreaming flow channel 23. - Meanwhile, the storage section 24b2 of water with bubbles, which is another component of the
shower flow channel 24, projects inward in the secondcylindrical unit 20 at a portion inclined in a tapered shape in theflow channel wall 23a of thestreaming flow channel 23 to increase in volume. This portion projects toward thestreaming flow channel 23 to form theconstricted portion 23b on astreaming flow channel 23 side across theflow channel wall 23a. - The storage section 24b2 of water with bubbles includes an
annular guide portion 24c at a portion in which theflow channel wall 23a downstream from the portion expands toward thestreaming discharge port 21 provided with the streaming net 21a. Theguide portion 24c is arranged so that at least a part thereof overlaps with a cross section of thevertical hole 124a. Thus, when the secondcylindrical unit 20 of thedischarge port cap 1 is turned to switch from the streaming state to the shower state, water flowing into theshower flow channel 24 through thevertical hole 24a first flows immediately below to collide with theguide portion 24c. In the present embodiment, it is desirable that most of water flowing through thevertical hole 24a collides with theguide portion 24c so that the amount of water that does not collide with theguide portion 24c is less than water that collies therewith. In addition, in the present embodiment, it is preferable that theguide portion 24c and theshower discharge port 22 are formed in a fixed manner, such as theguide portion 24c that is formed as a part of the secondcylindrical unit 20, and theguide portion 24c that is formed of the same member as that of theshower discharge port 22. - The
shower flow channel 24 is composed of thevertical hole 124a and the storage section 24b2 of water with bubbles, as above, to enable a flow channel cross-sectional area on an upstream side (vertical hole 124a) to be smaller than a flow channel cross-sectional area on a downstream side (storage section 24b2 of water with bubbles), in theshower flow channel 24. Accordingly, at the time of the shower discharge, water flowing into theshower flow channel 24 through theinjection port 11 can be powerfully injected through thevertical hole 124a toward the storage section 24b2 of water with bubbles, so that it is possible to prevent water in theshower flow channel 24 from flowing back toward theinjection port 11 by flow channel resistance in theshower discharge port 22. Thevertical hole 124a is formed so that a flow channel cross-sectional area thereof is slightly larger than that of theinjection port 11 to have a space for taking in air in a periphery thereof. - Meanwhile, as force of water injected through the
vertical hole 124a increases at the time of the shower discharge, vibration of the storage section 24b2 of water with bubbles that receives the water and an air-liquid interface formed in the storage section 24b2 of water with bubbles increases, whereby the secondcylindrical unit 20 is allowed to be easily moved (or to be easily turned). If the secondcylindrical unit 20 is moved, the secondcylindrical unit 20 positioned for the shower state may be displaced to a direction of a position for the streaming state. - In the shower state, water is injected through the
injection port 11 toward theshower flow channel 24 to allow vacuum to occur on thestreaming flow channel 23 side, and then air is allowed to flow into theshower flow channel 24 through thestreaming discharge port 21 via thestreaming flow channel 23 by using the vacuum to create water with bubbles. - Thus, in the shower state, if a positional relationship between the
injection port 11 and thevertical hole 124a, positioned for the shower discharge, is changed, the amount of mixing of bubbles in the shower discharge may be reduced. - For that, the present embodiment includes a positional displacement prevention section that prevents the positional relationship between the
injection port 11 and thevertical hole 124a from being changed due to an impact of water injected through theinjection port 11. Specifically, theguide portion 24c described above is configured to guide water injected through theinjection port 11 radially outward. That is, water is guided in a direction different from a turn direction (first direction) of the secondcylindrical unit 20 when the first state is switched to the second state. Accordingly, it is possible to apply collision reaction force that occurs when water injected through theinjection port 11 collides with an internal wall surface of the storage section 24b2 of water with bubbles in a direction in which the positional relationship between theinjection port 11 and thevertical hole 124a is not changed. - In addition, the present embodiment includes a resistance mechanism (an
elastic member 50, such as rubber and a spring) in a connection portion between the firstcylindrical unit 10 and the secondcylindrical unit 20, the resistance mechanism applying resistance to movement of changing a position of each of the units so that a positional relationship between the firstcylindrical unit 10 and the secondcylindrical unit 20 falls within a predetermined range. The predetermined range is set within an allowable range of a change of the positional relationship between theinjection port 11 and thevertical hole 124a, in which the amount of mixing of bubbles required at the time of the shower discharge can be secured. The predetermined range tends to decrease as a flow channel cross-sectional area of thevertical hole 124a decreases. - As shown in
FIG. 3 , the resistance mechanism in the present embodiment includes aprotrusion 131 of the secondcylindrical unit 20, andprotrusions cylindrical unit 10. Theprotrusion 131 of the secondcylindrical unit 20 is provided in a surface of aframe portion 30 that is formed in an edge of the secondcylindrical unit 20 so as to surround an outer periphery of the firstcylindrical unit 10, the surface facing the firstcylindrical unit 10. Theframe portion 30 may be provided so as to turn in conjunction with the secondcylindrical unit 20 when the secondcylindrical unit 20 is turned, and may be a member attached to the secondcylindrical unit 20, or may be formed integrally with the secondcylindrical unit 20. Theprotrusions cylindrical unit 10 are provided at respective positions allowing theprotrusions protrusion 131 of the secondcylindrical unit 20. Theprotrusions cylindrical unit 10 upon receiving a load from above a tip of each of them, and so as to return by elastic force if the load is released. - In the shower state of
FIG. 3C , one side of theprotrusion 131 of theframe portion 30 is brought into contact with astopper portion 113a of the firstcylindrical unit 10 not to allow the secondcylindrical unit 20 and theframe portion 30 to turn further in a counterclockwise direction inFIG. 3C . On the other hand, if the other side of theprotrusion 131 of theframe portion 30 is brought into contact with theprotrusion 112a of the firstcylindrical unit 10 to allow resistance by elastic force of theprotrusion 112a to be applied to movement for turning the secondcylindrical unit 20 and theframe portion 30 in a clockwise direction inFIG. 3C . Accordingly, it is possible to prevent the secondcylindrical unit 20 from being moved by force of water injected through thevertical hole 124a at the time of the shower discharge, so that it is possible to prevent a position of the secondcylindrical unit 20 positioned for the shower state from being changed in a direction of a position for the streaming state. - In the streaming state of
FIG. 3A , one side of theprotrusion 131 of theframe portion 30 is brought into contact with astopper portion 113b of the firstcylindrical unit 10 not to allow the secondcylindrical unit 20 and theframe portion 30 to turn further in a clockwise direction inFIG. 3A . On the other hand, if the other side of theprotrusion 131 of theframe portion 30 is brought into contact with theprotrusion 112b of the firstcylindrical unit 10 to allow resistance by elastic force of theprotrusion 112b to be applied to movement for turning the secondcylindrical unit 20 and theframe portion 30 in a counterclockwise direction inFIG. 3A . A state of applying resistance in this way is defined as a first resistance portion. Accordingly, it is possible to prevent a position of the secondcylindrical unit 20 from being moved at the time of the streaming discharge, so that it is possible to prevent a position of the secondcylindrical unit 20 positioned for the streaming state from being changed in a direction of a position for the shower state. -
FIGS. 3B and 3D show a transition state from the streaming state to the shower state, or a transition state from the shower state to the streaming state. In these states, no resistance is applied to movement for turning the secondcylindrical unit 20 and theframe portion 30 until theprotrusion 131 of theframe portion 30 is brought into contact with either one of theprotrusions cylindrical unit 10. A resistance portion that applies resistance less than the first resistance portion to movement for turning the secondcylindrical unit 20 and theframe portion 30 in this way, is defined as a second resistance portion. If theprotrusion 131 of theframe portion 30 is brought into contact with either one of theprotrusions cylindrical unit 10, resistance is applied to movement for turning the secondcylindrical unit 20 and theframe portion 30 by elastic force of theprotrusions - The resistance mechanism shown in
FIG. 3 is provided with the twoprotrusions cylindrical unit 10 to prevent movement of the secondcylindrical unit 20 during usage of each of the streaming state and the shower state. Theprotrusions - In the streaming state and the shower state, the shower state is further required to prevent movement of the second
cylindrical unit 20 at the time of discharging water, because the shower state has a small allowable range of positional displacement between theinjection port 11 and thevertical hole 124a, as well as allows the secondcylindrical unit 20 to be easily moved by water injected through thevertical hole 124a. - Thus, the resistance mechanism may apply resistance during the shower state, in the streaming state and the shower state. In this case, it is desirable that the resistance mechanism applies resistance in a region in which the streaming state is switched to the shower state. Accordingly, it is possible to prevent the positional relationship between the first
cylindrical unit 10 and the secondcylindrical unit 20 from being changed during the shower state, so that it is possible to prevent possible reduction in the amount of mixing of bubbles, caused by a change of the positional relationship between the firstcylindrical unit 10 and the secondcylindrical unit 20 at the time of the shower discharge. - Since the resistance mechanism includes the first region to be a first resistance, and the second region to be a second resistance less than resistance in the first resistance portion, the first resistance may be applied at the time of the shower state. Reducing a region to which resistance is applied enables force required at the time of switching to the shower state to be reduced, thereby enabling deterioration of operability to be prevented. In this case, it is desirable that the resistance mechanism gradually increases resistance to apply larger resistance as the streaming state approaches to the shower state. Accordingly, struck feeling by resistance at the time of switching to the shower state can be lessened, so that it is possible to prevent a user from recognizing that operation is completed by mistake to enable deterioration of operability to be prevented. In a case where the streaming state is changing from the shower state, a change of a positional relationship between the first
cylindrical unit 10 and the secondcylindrical unit 20 can fall within a predetermined range, whereby it is also possible to prevent possible reduction in the amount of mixing of bubbles caused by the change of the positional relationship between the firstcylindrical unit 10 and the secondcylindrical unit 20. A variation of the resistance mechanism will be specifically described with reference toFIG. 4 . -
FIG. 4 shows a variation (second embodiment) of the resistance mechanism shown inFIG. 3 . A resistance mechanism of the variation includes a raisedportion 231 of the secondcylindrical unit 20, and aprotrusion 212 of the firstcylindrical unit 10. The raisedportion 231 of the secondcylindrical unit 20 is formed in a surface of theframe portion 30, the surface facing the firstcylindrical unit 10. The raisedportion 231 is provided withstopper portions stopper portion 231a is formed so as to be substantially perpendicular to a ridge, and theother stopper portion 231b is formed at an angle from an end of the ridge. - The
protrusion 212 of the firstcylindrical unit 10 is provided at a position allowing theprotrusion 212 to be brought into contact with the raisedportion 231 of the secondcylindrical unit 20. Theprotrusion 212 is designed so as to be pressed down in a direction to the center axial of the firstcylindrical unit 10 upon receiving a load from above its tip, and so as to return by elastic force if the load is released. - In the shower state of
FIG. 4C , thestopper portion 231a of theframe portion 30 is brought into contact with astopper portion 213a of the firstcylindrical unit 10 not to allow the secondcylindrical unit 20 and theframe portion 30 to turn further in a counterclockwise direction inFIG. 4C . On the other hand, if thestopper portion 231b of theframe portion 30 is brought into contact with theprotrusion 212 of the firstcylindrical unit 10 to allow resistance by elastic force of theprotrusion 212 to be applied to movement for turning the secondcylindrical unit 20 and theframe portion 30 in a clockwise direction inFIG. 4C . - Accordingly, it is possible to prevent the second
cylindrical unit 20 from being moved by force of water injected through thevertical hole 124a at the time of the shower discharge, so that it is possible to prevent a position of the secondcylindrical unit 20 positioned for the shower state from being changed in a direction of a position for the streaming state. In the streaming state ofFIG. 4A , thestopper portion 231b of theframe portion 30 is brought into contact with astopper portion 213b of the firstcylindrical unit 10 not to allow the secondcylindrical unit 20 and theframe portion 30 to turn further in a clockwise direction inFIG. 4A . Meanwhile, theprotrusion 212 of the firstcylindrical unit 10 is maintained in a state of being pressed down by the raisedportion 231 of theframe portion 30 to allow the secondcylindrical unit 20 and theframe portion 30 to move. -
FIGS. 4B and 4D show a transition state from the streaming state to the shower state, or a transition state from the shower state to the streaming state. In these states, theprotrusion 212 of the firstcylindrical unit 10 is maintained in a state of being pressed down by the raisedportion 231 of theframe portion 30 to allow the secondcylindrical unit 20 and theframe portion 30 to move. -
FIG. 5 is a graph showing a relationship between a discharge state and operation resistance in a variation different from that described above. As shown inFIG. 5 , the resistance mechanism applies resistance to movement for turning the secondcylindrical unit 20 and theframe portion 30 in a region R in which a state close to the shower state is switched to the shower state in an intermediate region between the streaming state and the shower state. The resistance applied in the region R increases toward the shower state. - An outline of operation of the
discharge port cap 1 configured as described above will be described with reference toFIGS. 6 and7 .FIGS. 6A and7A show a discharge state where water W is allowed to flow through thestreaming flow channel 23 to be mixed with air Air from theshower flow channel 24, as the streaming state of the first state.FIGS. 6B and7B show a discharge state where water W is allowed to flow through theshower flow channel 24 to be mixed with air Air from thestreaming flow channel 23, as the shower state of the second state. - As shown in
FIGS. 6A and7A , in the streaming state, when water W is supplied through the plurality ofinjection ports 11 provided in outer regions of the firstcylindrical unit 10, the water W flows down in an injection direction to flow into thestreaming flow channel 23 to collides with theflow channel wall 23a. Then, the water W is splashed from theflow channel wall 23a, and flows down along theflow channel wall 23a, to be guided toward thestreaming discharge port 21. A relationship between theinjection port 11 and the secondcylindrical unit 20 in this streaming state is shown inFIG. 3A . - At this time, the
shower discharge port 22 serves as an air inlet port, and theshower flow channel 24 serves as an air passage. That is, as shown inFIGS. 6A and7A , water is injected through theinjection port 11 toward thestreaming flow channel 23 to cause vacuum in theshower flow channel 24, so that air Air is allowed to flow through theshower discharge port 22 toward thestreaming flow channel 23 via theshower flow channel 24. The air Air flows into thestreaming flow channel 23 from the storage section 24b2 of water with bubbles through thevertical hole 124a to be sucked into a flow of the water W to form bubbles. - In the
streaming discharge port 21, water temporarily stays on the streaming net 21a to form an air-liquid interface Ia. The water W rushes into the air-liquid interface Ia to be mixed with the foamy air Air to form water Bw with bubbles. The water Bw with bubbles passes through the streaming net 21a to be sequentially discharged through thestreaming discharge port 21. - As shown in
FIG. 6B and7B , in the shower state, when water W is supplied through the plurality ofinjection ports 11 provided in the outer regions of the firstcylindrical unit 10, the water W flows down in the injection direction to flow into thevertical hole 124a of theshower flow channel 24 to be directly guided into the storage section 24b2 of water with bubbles provided immediately below. A relationship between theinjection port 11 and the secondcylindrical unit 20 in this shower state is shown inFIG. 3C . - At this time, the
streaming discharge port 21 serves as an air inlet port, and thestreaming flow channel 23 serves as an air passage. That is, as shown inFIGS. 6B , water is injected through theinjection port 11 toward theshower flow channel 24 to cause vacuum in thestreaming flow channel 23, so that air Air is allowed to flow through thestreaming discharge port 21 toward theshower flow channel 24 via thestreaming flow channel 23. The air Air flows into thevertical hole 124a of theshower flow channel 24 through the streaming net 21a, while passing through thestreaming flow channel 23, to be sucked into a flow of the water W to form bubbles. - In the
shower flow channel 24, water temporarily stays in the storage section 24b2 of water with bubbles by flow channel resistance in theshower discharge port 22 to form an air-liquid interface Ib. The water W flows into the air-liquid interface Ib to be mixed with the foamy air Air to form water Bw with bubbles. The water Bw with bubbles passes through theshower discharge port 22 to be discharged outside. - The storage section 24b2 of water with bubbles is configured to guide water injected through the
injection port 11 radially outward by using theguide portion 24c described above, so that it is possible to apply collision reaction force that occurs when the water injected through theinjection port 11 collides with an internal wall surface of the storage section 24b2 of water with bubbles in a direction in which the positional relationship between theinjection port 11 and thevertical hole 124a is not changed. - The
discharge port cap 1 of the present embodiment allows the shower state shown inFIG. 3A to be switched to the streaming state shown inFIG. 3C , or allows the streaming state shown inFIG. 3C to be switched to the shower state shown inFIG. 3A , by turning the secondcylindrical unit 20 with respect to the firstcylindrical unit 10, whereby the streaming discharge and the shower discharge is performed. - As described above, the embodiments of the present invention are capable of the following: switching between the streaming state where water is allowed to flow into the
streaming flow channel 23 through theinjection port 11 to be mixed with air from theshower flow channel 24, and the shower state where water is allowed to flow into theshower flow channel 24 through theinjection port 11 to be mixed with air from thestreaming flow channel 23 by changing a relative positional relationship between the firstcylindrical unit 10 and the secondcylindrical unit 20; preventing backflow of water in theshower flow channel 24 in the shower discharge by setting the flow channel cross-sectional area of theshower flow channel 24 on the upstream side to be less than the flow channel cross-sectional area thereof on the downstream side; and applying resistance to movement for changing a positional relationship between the firstcylindrical unit 10 and the secondcylindrical unit 20 so that the positional relationship between the firstcylindrical unit 10 and the secondcylindrical unit 20 falls within a predetermined range, by providing a positional displacement prevention section (theguide portion 24c and a resistance mechanism). - Accordingly, a change of the positional relationship between the first
cylindrical unit 10 and the secondcylindrical unit 20 at the time of discharging water can fall within a predetermined range, so that it is possible to prevent possible reduction in the amount of mixing of bubbles, caused by a change of the positional relationship between the firstcylindrical unit 10 and the secondcylindrical unit 20. - Subsequently, the
discharge port cap 1 in accordance with a third embodiment of the present invention will be described. Although the third embodiment is different from the embodiments described above in that a vertical hole (backflow prevention section) 324a is formed in a flat shape in a flow channel cross section as a positional displacement prevention section so that a longitudinal direction of the flow channel cross section is a turn direction (first direction) of the secondcylindrical unit 20 when the first state is switched to the second state, other structures are the same as those of the embodiments described above. Thus, description of the structures common to the embodiments described above will be omitted below. - As shown in
FIG. 8 , thevertical hole 324a is formed in a flat shape in flow channel cross section so that the longitudinal direction of the flow channel cross section is the turn direction (first direction) of the secondcylindrical unit 20 when the first state is switched to the second state. - In addition, the
vertical hole 324a is formed in the flat shape in flow channel cross section so that a width in a lateral direction orthogonal to the longitudinal direction of thevertical hole 324a is substantially uniform. -
FIG. 9 is a sectional views showing an outline of action of a shower flow channel of the discharge port cap. As shown inFIGS. 9A and 9B , if theinjection port 11 is arranged on a center line L of thevertical hole 324a, water from theinjection port 11 is injected into the center of thevertical hole 324a to enable water with bubbles to be discharged without reducing the amount of mixing of bubbles. - In addition, as shown in
FIGS. 9C and 9D , even if theinjection port 11 is displaced from the center line L of thevertical hole 324a, the flat shape of a flow channel cross-sectional shape of thevertical hole 324a enables a state of allowing all of injected water to flow inside thevertical hole 324a to be easily maintained. - Further, the flow channel cross section of the
vertical hole 324a is reduced in width in a direction orthogonal to the turn direction (first direction) of the secondcylindrical unit 20 when the first state is switched to the second state (reduced in flow channel cross-sectional area) to enable water with bubbles stored in the storage section 24b2 of water with bubbles to be prevented from flowing back toward anair intake section 602. - Subsequently, the
discharge port cap 1 in accordance with a fourth embodiment of the present invention will be described. Although the fourth embodiment is different from the embodiments described above in a shape of a vertical hole (backflow prevention section) 424a in which a flow channel cross-sectional area thereof is reduced from anupstream side 425a to adownstream side 425b, as a positional displacement prevention section, other structures are the same as those of the embodiments described above. Thus, description of the structures common to the embodiments described above will be omitted below. - As shown in
FIG. 10 , thevertical hole 424a of the present embodiment is formed in an inverted conical shape in flow channel cross section so as to gradually decrease in diameter from an upstream side to a downstream side. - According to this structure, an
inlet opening 426 of the vertical hole is large enough to enable a state where all of injected water passes through the inside of thevertical hole 424a to be easily maintained even if the positional relationship between theinjection port 11 and the vertical hole (backflow prevention section) 424a is slightly changed by an impact of water injected through theinjection port 11. In addition, a flow channel cross-sectional area of a downstream portion of thevertical hole 424a is small enough to enable water with bubbles stored in the storage section 24b2 of water with bubbles to be prevented from flowing back toward anair intake section 602. Further, the flow channel of thevertical hole 424a is formed so that the cross-sectional area thereof decreases from theupstream side 425a to thedownstream side 425b to enable the water collided with the inner wall by force of injected water to be compressed to the downstream side to prevent the injected water from flowing back toward theair intake section 602 even if a part of the injected water slightly interferes with the inner wall of the downstream portion of the vertical hole 424. - As above, the embodiments of the present invention have been described with reference to the specific examples. However, the present invention is by no means limited by these specific examples. For example, the shower discharge and the streaming discharge may be switched as described above by sliding the second
cylindrical unit 20 with respect to the firstcylindrical unit 10. In addition, the shower discharge and the streaming discharge may be switched as described above by turning the firstcylindrical unit 10 with respect to the secondcylindrical unit 20. Further, no bubble for mixing air may be mixed into water flowing through thestreaming flow channel 23 to discharge a single water stream without a bubble. That is, as far as having a feature of the present invention, a modification in which a person skilled in the art appropriately makes a design change to these specific examples is included in the scope of the present invention. For example, each of the elements provided in each of the specific examples described above, and its arrangement, material, condition, shape, and the like, are not limited to the examples shown, and may be appropriately changed. In addition, each of the elements provided in each of the specific examples described above may be combined with each other as far as technically possible, so that a combination of the elements is also included in the scope of the present invention as far as including a feature of the present invention.
Claims (7)
- A water discharge device comprising:a first member that is provided with an injection port through which water flowing from an upstream side is injected to a downstream side by being increased in flow velocity;a second member that includes a streaming flow channel provided with a streaming discharge port through which a single water stream is discharged, and a shower flow channel provided with a shower discharge port through which a plurality of water streams are discharged;a flow channel switching mechanism that switches between a first state of allowing water injected through the injection port to flow into the streaming flow channel, and a second state of allowing the water injected through the injection port to flow into the shower flow channel, by moving either one of the first member and the second member,the shower flow channel including:an air intake section through which air is sucked in by using a vacuum created as the water injected through the injection port passes through the air intake section;a storage section of water with bubbles that is provided downstream of the air intake section to store water with bubbles produced by mixing of air sucked in through the air intake section into the water injected through the injection port;a backflow prevention section that is provided between the air intake section and the storage section of water with bubbles, with a flow channel cross-sectional area larger than that of the injection port as well as smaller than that of the storage section of water with bubbles, to prevent backflow of water with bubbles from the storage section of water with bubbles toward the air intake section;the shower discharge port through which water with bubbles stored in the storage section of water with bubbles is discharged; anda positional displacement prevention section that prevents at least a part of a projected plane, formed by projecting a downstream end of the injection port in an injection direction, from being displaced outside the backflow prevention section due to an impact caused by the water injected through the injection port, in a state where water at a maximum flow rate is supplied into the injection port, and the entire projected plane passes through an inside of the backflow prevention section.
- The water discharge device according to claim 1, wherein the flow channel switching mechanism moves either one of the first member and the second member in a first direction when switching the first state to the second state, and wherein the positional displacement prevention section is provided in the storage section of water with bubbles, and includes a guide portion for guiding the water injected through the injection port to a direction different from the first direction.
- The water discharge device according to claim 2, wherein the guide portion is arranged at a position interfering with the projected plane.
- The water discharge device according to claim 3, wherein the positional displacement prevention section is provided in a connection portion between the first member and the second member, and includes an elastic member that serves as movement resistance when either one of the first member and the second member is moved.
- The water discharge device according to claim 4, wherein the elastic member includes a first region to be a first resistance, and a second region to be a second resistance less than the first resistance, in a moving range when the first state and the second state are switched by the flow channel switching mechanism, and wherein a position at which the entire projected plane passes through the inside of the backflow prevention section is within the first region.
- The water discharge device according to claim 3, wherein the positional displacement prevention section is acquired by forming the backflow prevention section in a flat shape in flow channel cross section so that a longitudinal direction of the flat shape is a movement direction when the first state and the second state are switched.
- The water discharge device according to claim 3, wherein the positional displacement prevention section is acquired by forming the backflow prevention section in a shape in which a flow channel cross-sectional area decreases from an upstream side to a downstream side.
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
JP2014236271 | 2014-11-21 | ||
JP2015187702A JP2016104950A (en) | 2014-11-21 | 2015-09-25 | Water discharge device |
Publications (1)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
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EP3023553A1 true EP3023553A1 (en) | 2016-05-25 |
Family
ID=54695568
Family Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
EP15195618.2A Withdrawn EP3023553A1 (en) | 2014-11-21 | 2015-11-20 | Water discharge device |
Country Status (3)
Country | Link |
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US (1) | US20160145842A1 (en) |
EP (1) | EP3023553A1 (en) |
CN (1) | CN105625519B (en) |
Cited By (1)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
EP3587679A4 (en) * | 2017-02-24 | 2020-11-25 | Xiamen Solex High-Tech Industries Co., Ltd. | Jet regulator capable of switching water output |
Families Citing this family (1)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
CN205013833U (en) * | 2015-09-09 | 2016-02-03 | 厦门松霖科技有限公司 | Individual palpation button circulation switching components |
Citations (6)
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US3334818A (en) * | 1965-09-22 | 1967-08-08 | Alfred M Moen | Swivel spray aerators |
US3524591A (en) * | 1968-08-02 | 1970-08-18 | Chicago Specialty Mfg Co | Spray device for showers,faucets,and the like |
US5348231A (en) * | 1993-10-05 | 1994-09-20 | Arnold Don C | Two-stage aerator |
JP3729198B2 (en) | 2001-11-09 | 2005-12-21 | 東陶機器株式会社 | Water discharge switching device |
JP2014068678A (en) | 2012-09-27 | 2014-04-21 | Toto Ltd | Shower device |
US20140300010A1 (en) * | 2013-04-04 | 2014-10-09 | Xiamen Water Nymph Sanitary Technology Co., Ltd. | Aerator with dual spraying functions |
Family Cites Families (1)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
WO2001068995A1 (en) * | 2000-03-17 | 2001-09-20 | Toto Ltd. | Foam water delivery port |
-
2015
- 2015-11-10 CN CN201510761251.6A patent/CN105625519B/en active Active
- 2015-11-18 US US14/945,034 patent/US20160145842A1/en not_active Abandoned
- 2015-11-20 EP EP15195618.2A patent/EP3023553A1/en not_active Withdrawn
Patent Citations (6)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US3334818A (en) * | 1965-09-22 | 1967-08-08 | Alfred M Moen | Swivel spray aerators |
US3524591A (en) * | 1968-08-02 | 1970-08-18 | Chicago Specialty Mfg Co | Spray device for showers,faucets,and the like |
US5348231A (en) * | 1993-10-05 | 1994-09-20 | Arnold Don C | Two-stage aerator |
JP3729198B2 (en) | 2001-11-09 | 2005-12-21 | 東陶機器株式会社 | Water discharge switching device |
JP2014068678A (en) | 2012-09-27 | 2014-04-21 | Toto Ltd | Shower device |
US20140300010A1 (en) * | 2013-04-04 | 2014-10-09 | Xiamen Water Nymph Sanitary Technology Co., Ltd. | Aerator with dual spraying functions |
Cited By (1)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
EP3587679A4 (en) * | 2017-02-24 | 2020-11-25 | Xiamen Solex High-Tech Industries Co., Ltd. | Jet regulator capable of switching water output |
Also Published As
Publication number | Publication date |
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CN105625519A (en) | 2016-06-01 |
CN105625519B (en) | 2017-10-20 |
US20160145842A1 (en) | 2016-05-26 |
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