JP2002106732A - Combination faucet - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To reduce sliding resistance between a thermo-cartridge and a drum part to eliminate defective operation in the thermo-cartridge, and reduce operation torque for a temperature regutation handle. SOLUTION: An annular sealing member is constituted to have low sliding resistance, in a combination faucet wherein the cartridge as a temperature regulating member is built in a main body of the combination faucet where a hot water inflow port and a water inflow port are formed with prescribed spacing along its axial line direction, to be slidable along the axial line direction, and wherein the annular sealing member contacting slidingly with an inner circumferential sliding face of the main body of the combination faucet is engaged with an outer circimferential face of the thermo-cartridge.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a hot water mixing faucet in which a thermo cartridge as a temperature adjusting member is incorporated in a hot water mixing faucet body to automatically adjust a hot water supply temperature.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, as a hot water mixing faucet of this kind, as shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, a substantially cylindrical and horizontally long body (hot water mixing faucet main body) 50 has an automatic temperature adjusting function. There is a thermo-cartridge 51 in which a thermo-cartridge 51 is built so as to be slidable in the body axis direction (the direction indicated by a double arrow X). This thermo cartridge 51 is provided with a thermo element 5 having a pin 52.
And a communication hole 72 which is located outside the cylindrical inner case 54 and communicates with the water hole 71a and the water hole 71b.
a, 72b are formed, and the body 50 is formed with a hot water inlet 56 of the hot water supply passage H and a water inlet 57 of the water supply passage C.
5 and an inner wall 58 forming a hot and cold water mixing chamber S, the hot water supply path H and the water supply path C located outside the inner wall 58 and the inner wall 58, and further a hot and cold water mixing path M to, for example, a discharge pipe (not shown). , A partition wall 63 that separates a thermoregulating cartridge 51 from a temperature control upper main body 62 that accommodates a slide guide 61 interlocked with the movement of a temperature adjustment handle 60 provided at one end of the body 50, It is composed of a discharge / water switching handle (not shown) provided at the other end and a partition 64 for partitioning the thermo cartridge 51. A valve element 70 is fitted around the small-diameter portion 53 a of the thermoelement 53 on the temperature adjustment handle 60 side via a spring 33, and the valve element 70 moves in the X direction by the operation of the thermoelement 53. . Reference numeral 22 denotes a hot water side valve seat, and a hot water supply side passage G is formed between the hot water side valve seat 22 and the valve element 70. Reference numeral 23 denotes a water-side valve seat, and a water-supply-side passage G ′ is formed between the water-side valve seat 23 and the valve body 70. 202 is a hot hole formed in the valve body 70.

[0003] The automatic temperature adjustment operation is as follows. When the temperature adjustment handle 60 is rotated around the X direction and set to a predetermined temperature, hot water and water are mixed in the hot and cold water mixing chamber S, and hot and cold mixed water of a predetermined temperature is set by the discharge / stop switching handle. And flow through the spout to shower.

[0004] When the temperature of the hot and cold water mixture rises above a predetermined temperature, the thermo-element 53 senses the temperature and the wax in the thermo-element 53 expands to move the thermo-element 53 to the temperature adjusting handle 60. Valve element 7
0 narrows the hot water supply side passage G and widens the water supply side passage G ′. As a result, the temperature of the hot and cold water mixture drops, and it can be adjusted to a predetermined temperature. Further, when the temperature of the hot and cold water mixture drops below a predetermined temperature, the thermoelement 53 senses the temperature and the wax in the thermoelement 53 shrinks, causing the thermoelement 53 to shrink.
Is moved to the side of the partition 64, and the valve body 70 widens the hot water supply side passage G and narrows the water supply side passage G '. Thereby, the temperature of the hot and cold water mixture rises and can be adjusted to a predetermined temperature.

[0005]

When the temperature adjustment handle 60 is turned, the thermo cartridge 51 slides in the X direction.
An O-ring 101 as a seal member fitted in an annular groove 100 formed on an outer peripheral surface 55 a of the first cylindrical outer case 55 is provided on the inner peripheral sliding surface K, K ′ of the inner wall 58 of the body 50. Make sliding contact. Since the O-ring 101 is made of synthetic rubber, the O-ring 101 is deteriorated when used for a long time due to the sliding resistance between the inner peripheral sliding surfaces K and K ', and the O-ring 101 is degraded from the high water pressure water supply path C to the low water supply path. Water leaks to H or water leaks from the water supply passage C having a high water pressure to the low-temperature water mixing chambers S and S ′, which affects the temperature control performance.

Further, there is a possibility that the O-ring 101 is fixed to the inner peripheral sliding surfaces K and K 'of the inner wall 58 by the action of heat of the hot and cold water mixture. In this case, the sliding resistance between the O-ring 101 and the inner peripheral sliding surfaces K and K ′ becomes large, and the operation failure of the cylindrical outer case 55 of the thermo cartridge 51 occurs, and the operating torque of the temperature adjusting handle 60 increases. I do.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is an object of the present invention to provide a hot and cold water mixing faucet that can reduce the sliding resistance between a thermo cartridge and a body portion to eliminate malfunction of the thermo cartridge and reduce the operating torque of a temperature adjustment handle. I do.

[0008]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In order to achieve the above object, the present invention relates to a hot water mixing faucet body having a hot water inlet and a water inlet formed at predetermined intervals in an axial direction thereof. A water / water mixing faucet in which a thermo-cartridge is embedded so as to be slidable in the axial direction, and an annular seal member is fitted on the outer peripheral surface of the thermo cartridge in sliding contact with the inner peripheral sliding surface of the hot / water mixing faucet body. , The annular seal member is configured to have a small sliding resistance.

[0009]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below. Note that the present invention is not limited thereby.

A feature of the present invention is that in the conventional hot and cold water mixing faucet shown in FIGS.
An O-ring 101 made of synthetic rubber is used as an annular seal member provided on the outer peripheral surface 55a of the first body 55 and slidingly contacting the inner peripheral sliding surfaces K and K 'of the body portion 50. The point is that it is made of a member having low sliding resistance.

FIGS. 1 to 3 show an annular sealing member.
One embodiment of the present invention employing a resin ring having low sliding resistance is shown. In FIGS. 1 to 3, the same components as those shown in FIGS. 4 and 5 are the same or equivalent.

In FIG. 2, a hot water supply passage H passes through an eccentric tube 1 (see FIG. 1) connected to a hot water pipe (not shown), and passes through an inner wall 58 of a body portion (water / water mixing faucet main body) 50. And a communication hole 7 formed in the cylindrical outer case 55 of the thermo cartridge 51 downstream thereof.
2a and a hot water hole 71a formed in the cylindrical inner case 54 of the thermo cartridge 51.
The hot and cold water mixing chamber of the body 50 through the hot water hole 202 formed in the inner case 54, the mixed water introduction hole 171 formed in the cylindrical inner case 54, and the mixed water communication hole 172 formed in the cylindrical outer case 55. S, S '.

On the other hand, the water supply passage C is provided with a water pipe (not shown).
Through the eccentric tube 2 (see FIG. 1) connected thereto, a water inlet 57 formed in the inner wall 58 of the body 50, and the cylindrical outer case 5 of the thermo cartridge 51 downstream therefrom.
The water hole 71b formed in the cylindrical inner case 54 of the thermo cartridge 51 via the communication hole 72b formed in
And thereafter merges with the hot water supply path H passing through the hot water hole 202 formed in the valve body 70, and is formed in the cylindrical outer case 55 from the mixed water introduction hole 171 formed in the cylindrical inner case 54. It passes through the mixed water communication hole 172 to reach the hot and cold water mixing chambers S and S ′ of the body 50.

FIG. 2 shows a state in which the temperature adjusting handle 60 (see FIG. 1) is fully turned to supply only hot water, so that the water supply side passage G 'is located immediately downstream of the water hole 71b. The valve 70 is closed. Reference numeral 30 denotes a discharge pipe. When the temperature adjusting handle 60 is rotated around the X direction to set a predetermined temperature, hot water and water are mixed in the hot and cold water mixing chamber S, and a hot / cold mixed water of a predetermined temperature is discharged / stopped. The water flows through the hot water mixing path M to the water discharge pipe and the hot water mixing path M ′ to the shower set at 33.

Hereinafter, a characteristic configuration of the present invention will be described.

Reference numerals 3a and 3b denote ring bodies functioning as seal members.
5 are respectively fitted in two annular grooves 100 formed on the outer peripheral surface 55a, and are made of, for example, a hard resin such as polyacetal or polysulfone. That is, by rotating the temperature adjustment handle 60, the thermo cartridge 5
When 1 slides in the X direction, the ring bodies 3a, 3b come into sliding contact with the inner peripheral sliding surfaces K, K 'of the inner wall 58 of the body 50, but since the ring bodies 3a, 3b are made of hard resin, As compared with the O-ring 101 made of synthetic rubber, which is a soft resin, the sliding contact resistance with the inner peripheral sliding surfaces K and K 'can be reduced while ensuring the sealing performance.

Further, each of the ring bodies 3a and 3b is shown in FIG.
As shown in FIG. That is, the area V of the sliding contact surface 4a of the outer peripheral portion 4 that slides on the inner peripheral sliding surfaces K and K 'on the outer side of the ring bodies 3a and 3b is determined by the area of the upper and lower surfaces 5a and 5b of the inner peripheral section 5 on the inner side of the ring body 3. It is formed smaller than J. Therefore, the sliding contact area with the inner peripheral sliding surfaces K and K ′ can be reduced, and the sliding contact resistance with the inner peripheral sliding surfaces K and K ′ can be further reduced.

By the way, an O-ring 10 made of synthetic rubber
1 is stretchable, it can be fitted in the annular groove 100 while being stretched. However, since the ring body 3 made of hard resin is not extendable, a cut is made in the ring body 3 to fit in the annular groove 100. It is formed into a split ring body. In this case, not a cut in the radial direction but an oblique cut which is inclined more is formed. Reference numeral 9 denotes the cutout. That is, since the oblique cut is formed in a direction different from the radial direction, the following advantages are provided.

The ring 3a has a function of preventing water from leaking from the water supply passage C having a high water pressure to the hot water supply passage H having a low water pressure. The gap formed by the oblique cut 9 is oblique to the direction of each pressure applied to the ring body 3a from the side of the water supply path C and from the side of the hot water supply path H. The cut surfaces are held down, thereby making it difficult for water to leak from the gap. That is, even if a leak occurs, the amount of leaking water can be minimized. On the other hand, in the case of cutting in the radial direction, the gap formed by the cut portion is along the direction of each pressure applied to the ring body from the side of the water supply path C and the side of the hot water supply path H. Is not suppressed and water leaks easily from gaps.

The ring member 3b has a function of preventing water from leaking from the water supply passage C having a high water pressure to the low-temperature water mixing chamber S. Also in this case, the gap formed by the oblique cut portion 9 is oblique to the direction of each pressure applied to the ring body 3b from the side of the water supply passage C and from the side of the hot and cold water mixing chamber S. Due to the difference, the cut surfaces are held down, so that water can hardly leak from the gap. That is, even if a leak occurs, the amount of leaking water can be minimized.

The thermo cartridge 51 slides in the X direction when the temperature adjustment handle 60 is rotated.
At this time, the cylindrical outer case 55 of the thermo cartridge 51
The ring bodies 3a and 3b fitted in the annular groove 100 formed on the outer peripheral surface 55a of the slidably contact the inner peripheral sliding surfaces K and K 'of the inner wall 58 of the body 50. Since the ring members 3a and 3b are made of hard resin, they do not deteriorate even when used for a long period of time and can reduce the sliding resistance.
3b, the area V of the sliding contact surface 4a of the outer peripheral portion 4 which is in sliding contact with the inner peripheral sliding surfaces K, K 'is formed smaller than the area J of the upper and lower surfaces 5a, 5b of the inner peripheral portion 5 inside the ring body 3. Therefore, the sliding resistance between the inner peripheral sliding surfaces K and K ′ can be further reduced. Moreover, since the ring body 3a has the oblique cut portion 9, the amount of water leaking from the water supply passage C having a high water pressure to the low water supply passage H, and the mixing chambers S, S having a low water pressure from the water supply passage C having a high water pressure. 'The amount of water leaking to the water can be kept to a minimum without affecting the temperature control performance.

In short, the sliding resistance between the thermo-cartridge 51 and the body 50 can be reduced without affecting the temperature control performance, so that the malfunction of the thermo-cartridge 51 can be eliminated and the operating torque of the temperature adjusting handle 60 can be reduced. .

It should be noted that the present invention can be applied to the ring bodies 3a, 3
It is not limited to b.

[0024]

As described above, according to the present invention, a hot and cold water mixing faucet which can reduce the sliding resistance between the thermo cartridge and the body to eliminate the malfunction of the thermo cartridge and reduce the operating torque of the temperature adjusting handle. Can be provided.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram of an overall configuration showing an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram of a main part configuration in the embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing a seal member used in the embodiment.

FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram of a main part configuration showing a conventional example.

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an automatic temperature adjusting operation of a hot and cold water mixing faucet.

[Explanation of symbols]

3a, 3b: resin ring body, 56: hot water inlet, 57 ...
Water inlet, 51 ... thermo cartridge.

Claims (2)

[Claims] 1. A thermo-cartridge as a temperature adjusting member is slidably built in the axial direction in a hot and cold water mixing faucet body in which a hot water inlet and a water inlet are formed at predetermined intervals in the axial direction. In a hot and cold water mixing faucet in which an annular sealing member that is in sliding contact with an inner peripheral sliding surface of a hot and cold water mixing faucet is fitted on an outer peripheral surface of a thermocartridge, the annular sealing member is configured to have a small sliding resistance. A hot and cold water mixing faucet, characterized in that it is provided. 2. The hot and cold water mixing faucet according to claim 1, wherein the annular sealing member is made of resin.