JP2002106002A - Single lever water faucet - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a water faucet capable of preventing a large volume of water from being wastefully discharged since the pressing-down of a lever is performed very easily and also preventing water from being splashed back liable to occur when a large volume of water is discharged in a single lever water faucet used in a kitchen etc. SOLUTION: A locking member having a ball body on the front side of the inside of a groove and a coiled spring energized in the opening direction at the rear thereof is fitted to either of a dome forming the tip part of the water faucet lever and a partially spherical part forming the bottom part of the lever. An annular recessed groove is provided in the other. When the lever is lowered, the head of the ball body of the locking member is fitted to the inside of the recessed groove. Thus, the lever can be prevented being glidingly moved abruptly so as to prevent water from being discharged wastefully.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a faucet for a tap which is often used in a kitchen, a bathroom, and the like, and more particularly to an improved single-lever faucet, which is a mixed faucet of hot and cold water.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art A typical structure of a conventional old type faucet is provided with a water stopcock having a rubber packing at a base of a fixed faucet, and water is discharged and water is stopped by turning an upper handle. In this structure, not only can hot water and cold water not be mixed, but also the rubber packing wears out during use, so you have to replace it yourself, which is troublesome for modern people, The number of uses is gradually decreasing. Recently, as an improvement, as shown in an exploded perspective view of FIG.
It has a lever cover 1 and a lever 3, and the lever 3 is connected to an upper portion of a single cartridge 6 in a valve cartridge holder 5 by a small screw 2. In the upper part of the single cartridge 6, the connection part by the small screw 2 with the upper part of the valve at the opening position at the center upper part of the dome 4 is moved upward with the fulcrum of the connection part in accordance with the vertical movement of the lever. Has become. In addition, warm water and cold water can be mixed at an arbitrary ratio by turning the lever left and right.

[0003] Next, a valve cartridge holder 5 is provided inside the body 8, and a valve cartridge 6 is provided therein. A heat insulating cover 7 is provided at an upper portion thereof, and a heat insulating cover 9 is provided at a lower portion thereof. Wrapped. Further, a rotatable heat-insulating spout (faucet) 10 is provided at the lower center of the heat-insulating cover 9. Therefore, when the lever 3 is lowered, the connecting portion with the lever at the upper center of the valve cartridge 6 is inclined, so that the amount of water to be discharged increases.
The joint with the lever at the upper center of the is returned to the normal position and the water is stopped. When the lever 3 is further rotated, the valve cartridge 6 is also rotated, so that the amounts of hot water and cold water can be mixed at a desired ratio.

FIG. 4 is an explanatory view showing the relationship between the conventional lever and the valve cartridge in more detail, and shows the relationship between the upper portion of the valve shown in FIG. 1 and the lever. A dome 25 having a partially spherical surface is provided on the faucet body 21, and a valve cartridge 22 is provided inside the faucet body 21 via a valve cartridge retainer 22a. This valve cartridge 22
Has a water amount adjusting valve 22b which is movable left and right (in the figure, is inclined obliquely by a fulcrum 22c), and is integrally connected to a sliding portion 27 of the lever by a set screw 24. 2
Reference numeral 3 denotes a lever, which discharges water when the water amount adjustment valve 22b of the valve cartridge 22 is tilted when the lever is lowered or raised, and stops the discharge of water when the water amount adjustment valve 22b stands upright. When the lever 23 is further rotated, the valve cartridge 22 is rotated to mix hot water and cold water in accordance with the rotation ratio.

[0005] This type of single lever faucet has the function described above, but concretely, many structures are commercially available, but they are similar or similar. It is a hot / cold water mixing type faucet that discharges water, raises and stops water, and there are many cases where the amount of discharged water cannot be adjusted. However, for the purpose of adjusting the discharge water amount, as disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 3-180630, for example, a structure in which the movement of a lever is controlled by contact between the end of a dome and a protrusion of a sleeve provided on a connecting rod, Kaihei 11-
As described in Japanese Patent Publication No. 350556, for example, an operating shaft for driving a valve device and a cylindrical body protruding therefrom are provided along a direction not affected by a positional shift between the faucet main body and the lever. There is a structure in which a joining portion is locked to an engagement body.

[0006]

Most of the lever type water stopcocks as shown in FIG. 3 or FIG. 4 can move the lever up and down, i.e., water discharge and water stop, with a small force. When discharging water, the lever is extremely lowered without any consideration to discharge water, so that the lever is lowered more than necessary and is fully opened, whereby the water flows out vigorously. This water is used to clean things under the faucet, tubs and pots,
At present, processing is performed such as wiping the wet spot or hurrying down the lever in order to wet the unnecessary area with water in order to vigorously hit the cover or the like. Even with this lever-type faucet, if the lever is lowered and adjusted slightly, it will be possible to dissipate as much water as necessary, but in reality it will be fully opened with a small force, so it should be in the middle stage There is nothing else that is virtually impossible.

[0007] It should be noted that even if the structure described in JP-A-3-180630 and the structure described in JP-A-11-350556 can be evaluated by improvement of a portion connected to a valve, it is difficult to obtain a precision. There is still a long-awaited need for a single-lever faucet that requires processing, and that can also structurally prevent inadvertent lever operation by the user at low cost.

[0008]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made to solve the above-mentioned problems, and its outline is to improve the base or the dome of the lever so that the valve can be opened and closed with a relatively simple structure. And the water discharge amount can be adjusted, and the relationship between the dome, the valve and the lever is improved as compared with the incoming technology.

According to the first aspect of the present invention, the faucet body has a valve capable of discharging hot water, cold water or a mixture thereof, a lever for operating the valve, and the lever is turned up and down. By opening and closing the valve by turning the lever left and right, a dome covering the upper end of the faucet body is provided, and the dome is provided with a dome covering the upper end of the faucet body. A lever having a base having a sliding part having a partial spherical curved surface capable of being slid in contact with the surface thereof is provided so as to be connected to the internal valve, and further, an inner surface of the sliding part of the lever; A locking member having a built-in coil spring for biasing the sphere in the opening direction is provided on the surface opening side of the groove in which the opening is narrowed on the side, and the sphere of the lever fits into the dome. Provide an annular groove that can be locked when mated, and operate the lever When the water stop valve is opened and closed, the sphere of the locking member of the lever is locked in the annular groove of the dome to control the sudden opening and closing of the lever to control the water discharge amount, and A single lever faucet wherein the sphere moves in the annular groove so that hot water and cold water can be mixed at an arbitrary ratio.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, the faucet body has a valve capable of discharging hot water, cold water or a mixture thereof, a lever for operating the valve, and the lever is turned up and down. By opening and closing the valve by turning the lever left and right, a dome covering the upper end of the faucet body is provided, and the dome is provided with a dome covering the upper end of the faucet body. A lever having a base having a sliding part with a partially spherical curved surface capable of sliding in contact with the surface of the dome is provided in connection with the internal valve, and an opening is formed on the surface side of the dome. A locking member having a built-in coil spring for biasing the sphere in the opening direction is provided on the surface opening side in the narrowed groove, and the dome of the dome is provided on the inner surface side of the sliding portion of the lever. Provide an annular groove that can be locked at the time of fitting,
When the lever is operated to open and close the water shutoff valve, the sphere of the locking member of the dome is locked in the annular groove on the inner surface of the sliding portion of the lever to control the sudden opening and closing of the lever. A single-lever faucet, characterized in that the amount of water discharged is controlled and that the sphere moves in the annular groove so that hot water and cold water can be mixed at an arbitrary ratio.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, there are provided one to three locking members.
The single-lever faucet according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the annular groove is selected from a range of 1 to 3, and is combined with each other. A single lever faucet according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the faucet is selected from ceramic.

[0012]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS The present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 shows an embodiment corresponding to claim 1 of the present invention.
(A) has a valve cartridge capable of mixing hot water and cold water at a predetermined ratio and regulating the discharge water amount in the faucet body 21. In particular, a water amount control valve is indicated by 22b, and the top is a lever. 23, for example, is connected by a connecting member such as a set screw 24. 22a is a valve cartridge holder. At the top of the faucet body 21, there is provided a dome 25 having a partially spherical surface that covers the faucet. A lever 23 having a sliding portion 27 that slides in contact with the lever 23 is provided in contact with the dome 25 having a partially spherical curved surface. However, there is an opening 26 in the center of the dome 25 with a partially spherical surface,
A connection member such as the set screw 24 can be inserted and fixed to the upper part of the water amount control valve 22b. The opening 26 is a space that allows the lever to be freely operated.

The structure of the lever 23 has a sliding portion 27 having a spherical curved surface on the bottom side so as to slide on the surface of the dome 25 having the partial spherical curved surface.
3 can be turned up and down or laterally in contact with the surface of the dome when operating. And the lever 23
Is provided with one to three locking members 28 on the inner surface side. (The figure shows the case of one.) The specific structure of the locking member 28 is as shown in FIG.
A coil spring is provided in the locking member groove 30 with the opening 29 narrowed, so that the sphere 31 is provided on the opening side so that the head can slightly protrude, and the sphere 31 is urged behind the sphere 31 in the opening direction of the groove. 32 are provided. In the figure, the back surface of the coil spring 32 is sealed with a screw lid 33. Further, on the surface of the partially spherical curved dome 25, there are 1 to 3 annular grooves 34 (2 in the figure) parallel to the lower edge, that is, at a constant radius from the center of the top. Is provided. With the above structure, mixing and operation of the lever 23 cause the valve 22
By changing the state, water can be discharged.

Therefore, in the above-mentioned faucet, the lever 23 is in an upwardly raised state in a water-stop state, but the lowering of the lever 23 when discharging water is the same as in a conventional faucet. However, the lever 23 has a dome 25 having a partially spherical curved surface at the base thereof. When the sliding portion 27 slides on the surface of the dome 25 having the partially spherical curved surface and moves downward by operating the lever 23, the locking member 28 is pressed by the coil spring 32 urged in the opening direction, the dome 2
5 is engaged with the annular groove 34 to prevent a sudden descent, so that a large amount of water is not suddenly discharged, and the water saving effect can be improved. In this case, the locking member 2 on the lever 23 side
8 and the number of the annular grooves 34 on the dome 25 side can be arbitrarily combined by design. When both of them are plural, the lower locking member 28 and the upper annular ring 34 are provided. The groove 34 is first engaged, and the discharge water amount can be increased by consciously lowering the lever again. When stopping the discharge of water, it is a matter of course that the lever should be returned to the final position by slightly increasing the force.
The sphere 31 of the locking member 28 on the lever 23 side is
When the lever 23 is engaged with the annular groove 34 on the fifth side,
Is rotated, either hot water or cold water, or mixed water at a preferable temperature can be easily discharged.

FIG. 2 shows an embodiment corresponding to claim 2 of the present invention. FIG. 2A shows a valve cartridge 22 in which a hot water and a cold water can be mixed at a predetermined ratio and a discharge water amount can be regulated in a faucet body 21. The water flow control valve 22b at the top is connected to the lever 23 by a connecting member such as a set screw 24, and has a fulcrum 22c for tilting left and right.
At the top of the faucet body 21, there is provided a dome 25 with a partially spherical curved surface that covers the faucet. However, there is an opening 26 in the center of the dome 25 with a partially spherical surface,
The connection member can be inserted, and the valve for adjusting the amount of water can be inclined by a fulcrum as in FIG.

The lever 23 has a sliding portion 27 having a partial spherical curved surface on the bottom side which can slide on the surface of the dome 25 having the partial spherical curved surface, and the lever 23 is operated. FIG. 1A is similar to FIG. 1A in that the dome 25 can be moved up and down or laterally in contact with the surface of the dome 25. The sliding portion 27 of the lever 23 is provided with an annular groove 34 at an appropriate position on the inner surface thereof, usually at a position of a specific radius on the hem side of 1/2 or more in the radial direction. The length of the groove may be semicircular instead of circular, but it is easier to manufacture the groove in terms of processing and strength.

On the other hand, one to three locking members 28 are provided on the surface of the dome 25 having a partially spherical curved surface. (In the figure, two cases are shown). As shown in FIG. 2B, the specific structure of the locking member 28 is such that the head of the sphere 31 can slightly project toward the opening side into the locking member groove 30 in which the opening 29 is narrowed. , And a coil spring 32 that urges the spherical body 31 in the opening direction of the groove is provided at the back. In the figure, the back surface of the coil spring 32 is sealed with a screw lid 33. In the case where a plurality of locking members are provided, they are provided in the same radial direction in the figure, but the invention is not limited to this.

Therefore, in the above-mentioned faucet, the lever 22 is in a state of being raised upward in a water stop state, but when discharging water, lowering the lever 22 is the same as the conventional faucet. However, the lever 22 has a dome 25 having a partially spherical surface at its base, and the sliding portion 27 is
Of the locking member 28 on the surface of the dome 25 is pushed by the coil spring 32 urged in the opening direction, so that the annular groove 34 on the inner surface of the lever 22 is moved. And prevents a sudden lowering of the lever, so that a large amount of water is not suddenly discharged, and the water saving effect can be improved. In this case, the number of the annular grooves 34 on the lever 22 side and the number of the locking members 28 on the dome side can be arbitrarily combined depending on the design. The member and the groove on the upper side are first engaged, and the discharge water amount can be increased by consciously lowering the lever again. When stopping the discharge of water, it is a matter of course that the lever should be returned to the final position by slightly increasing the force. When the sphere 31 of the locking member 28 on the dome side is engaged with the annular groove 34 on the lever 22 side, if the lever is turned to the left or right, the temperature of either hot water or cold water or a preferable temperature is maintained. The mixed water can be released easily. Although a hemispherical dome is shown in the drawing, it is needless to say that the dome does not have to be a hemisphere and may be a partially spherical curved dome smaller than a hemisphere.

In the practice of the present invention, since the sphere used for the locking member is preferably long and has little wear, steel, hard alloy or ceramic such as sialon or silicon nitride is preferably selected.

[0020]

According to the present invention, as described in detail with reference to FIGS. 1 and 2, an annular groove 34 is formed in one of the surface of the dome having a partially spherical surface and the inner surface of the sliding portion of the base of the lever. To
On the other side, a locking member is provided, and the locking member rotates when the head of the sphere slides, and when entering the annular groove, it projects and engages according to the depth of the groove, so if necessary, It is easy to deviate from the groove by applying a slight force.
However, because of this engagement, there is no water discharge due to excessive lowering of the lever, not only wasteful water is not used, but also, for example, when washing dishes, pots, food materials, etc. in a kitchen sink. In the case of a sudden strong water discharge, the water hits the water, and there is no danger that the water splashes around and wets or contaminates. Also, because of its simple structure, it can be manufactured at a relatively low cost, and in some cases it can be modified simply by replacing the lever and the dome on the upper part of the faucet in practical use.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is (a) a partial sectional view of one embodiment of the present invention, and (b)
Enlarged sectional view of the engaging portion between the lever and the valve

FIG. 2 is (a) a partial sectional view of another embodiment of the present invention;
(B) Enlarged sectional view of the engaging portion between the lever and the valve

FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view of an example of a conventional faucet.

FIG. 4 is an enlarged sectional view showing the relationship between a lever and a valve of a conventional faucet.

[Explanation of symbols]

 1 Cover 2 Machine Screw 3 Lever 4 Dome 5 Valve Cartridge Holder 6 Valve Cartridge 7 Heat Insulation Cover 8 Body 9 Heat Insulation Cover 10 Packing 11 Heat Insulation Outlet 21 Water Tap Body 22 Valve Cartridge 22a Valve Cartridge Hold 22b Water Volume Control Valve 22c Support Point 23 Lever 24 Set screw 25 Partial spherical curved dome 26 Opening 27 Sliding part 28 Locking member 29 Opening 30 Locking member groove 31 Spherical body 32 Coil spring 33 Screw cover 34 Annular groove

Claims (4)

[Claims] 1. A water faucet body having a valve capable of discharging hot water, cold water or a mixture thereof, a lever for operating the valve, and opening and closing the valve by rotating the lever up and down; In a faucet that can select or mix cold and hot water by rotating the lever left and right,
A lever having a base portion provided with a dome covering the upper end of the faucet body, and having a base with a partially spherical curved surface capable of slidably contacting the surface of the dome, is provided on the internal valve. A locking mechanism in which a coil spring is built in on the inner surface side of the sliding portion of the lever, and further has a built-in coil spring for urging the sphere in the opening direction to the back surface side on the surface opening side in the groove having a narrower opening on the inner surface side of the lever. The dome is provided with an annular groove which can be locked when the sphere of the lever is fitted, and when the lever is operated to open and close the water shutoff valve, the locking member of the lever is provided. The sphere is locked in the annular groove of the dome to control the sudden opening and closing of the lever to control the amount of water discharged, and that the sphere moves in the annular groove to produce hot and cold water. Characterized by being able to mix at any ratio Plug. 2. A faucet body, comprising a valve capable of discharging hot water, cold water or a mixture thereof, a lever for operating the valve, and opening and closing the valve by turning the lever up and down. In a faucet that can select or mix cold and hot water by rotating the lever left and right,
A lever having a base portion provided with a dome covering the upper end of the faucet body, and having a base with a partially spherical curved surface capable of slidably contacting the surface of the dome, is provided on the internal valve. In addition, the dome is provided with a locking member having a built-in coil spring that urges the sphere in the opening direction on the back side of the sphere on the surface opening side in the groove having the opening narrowed on the surface side,
An annular groove is provided on the inner surface of the sliding portion of the lever so that the sphere of the dome can be locked when fitted, and when the lever is operated to open and close the water stop valve, the locking member of the dome is provided. The sphere is locked in an annular groove on the inner surface of the sliding portion of the lever to control the sudden opening and closing of the lever and control the amount of water discharged,
A single lever faucet wherein the sphere moves in the annular groove so that hot water and cold water can be mixed at an arbitrary ratio. 3. The locking member according to claim 1, wherein:
2. A combination selected from the following ranges:
Or the single lever faucet according to 2. 4. A single lever faucet according to claim 1, wherein the sphere is selected from a steel ball, a hard alloy or a ceramic.