JP2002238679A - Cabinet - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To simply operate a variety of equipment by the toe by providing a footswitch unit in a drawer provided in a riser. SOLUTION: A footswitch unit made up of a foot switch 24, a remote control transmitter 25 and a battery is provided in front of a lower front panel 9 of a drawer 7 provided in a riser portion 6, and by sending an operation signal by the transmitter 25 by operating the footswitch 24 by the toe, and receiving the signal by a receiver 26 and sending to a control section 18, an electromagnetic valve 22 for water of a faucet 19, and an electromagnetic valve 23 for hot water are made operable.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a cabinet, and more particularly to a lighting, a ventilation fan, a faucet, a water faucet, a water heater, an electric water heater, an electromagnetic cooker, a dishwasher, a dish dryer, and a foot heater. The present invention relates to a kitchen or a cabinet for a washroom having a switch device for operating devices such as the above.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Heretofore, there has been known a configuration in which a solenoid cabinet is provided with an electromagnetic valve for each of a hot water pipe and a clean water pipe, and the electromagnetic valve can be operated by a pull-out operation switch from below the sink to below the foot by electric wiring. (See Japanese Utility Model Laid-Open No. 4-119866).

Further, a connection portion is provided on a faucet body having a water discharge pipe and a water discharge port, and an operation portion is detachably connected to the connection portion, and a water discharge / water stop switch is provided on a faucet portion of the water faucet. Such a configuration is known (see Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 5-156677).

In a cabinet for a kitchen furniture, a configuration is known in which a plurality of drawers are provided at the lowermost stage on the front side, and a front plate of the cabinet is recessed at a portion close to the bottom plate of the box body (JP-A-2000-2000). No. 236964).

Further, as shown in FIG. 7, a known cabinet 42 has a configuration in which a foot heater 44 is provided in a drawer 43 provided at the lowest stage.

[0006]

The operation switch pulled out from below the sink by electric wiring from under the sink is convenient because it can be operated with the foot, but it is stepped on because the operation switch is located near the foot. There are problems such as the presence of the electric wiring, which hinders the feet, impairs the appearance, and causes a risk such as disconnection of the electric wiring itself or electric leakage. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is an object of the present invention to solve a problem that has conventionally occurred in such an operation switch that can be operated under a foot.

[0007] Furthermore, there is no need for troublesome work for electric wiring, and it can be installed by simple construction, there is no danger of disconnection or earth leakage, and it can be operated with feet, and the operation signal can be transmitted wirelessly. It is an object to realize a foot switch device capable of transmitting a signal.

[0008] Further, if a device such as a hot air blower is provided in the drawer as described above, the storage space of the drawer is reduced, and if the stored items are placed on the hot air blower, maintenance of the hot air blower is troublesome. There is a problem. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is an object of the present invention to attach a foot warmer to a drawer in a compact state without reducing the storage amount.

[0009]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, the present invention relates to a cabinet provided with a storage portion for articles in a recess portion, wherein a switch device of a device used near the cabinet is connected to the recess portion. The cabinet provided in the section is provided.

[0010] The switch device may be arranged on a front surface of the recess.

[0011] The switch device may include a plurality of switches for operating a plurality of the devices.

The switch may include a transceiver for transmitting and receiving a radio signal between the recess and the device.

[0013] The switch device may be configured to have a branch contact.

The equipment includes lighting, ventilation fan, faucet, faucet for water purification, water heater, electric water heater, electromagnetic cooker, dishwasher,
1 selected from the group including tableware dryers and foot warmers
Or two or more devices.

[0015] The device may be a foot warmer, and the foot warmer may be provided at an upper portion on the back side of a front plate of the storage portion to blow warm air downward.

[0016] The cabinet may be a cabinet used in a kitchen, a washroom, or a vanity stand.

[0017]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS An embodiment of a cabinet according to the present invention will be described below based on an embodiment with reference to the drawings. The cabinet according to the present invention is a cabinet that can be used in various applications such as a cabinet used in a kitchen or a cabinet for a washroom or a vanity.

The configuration premised on the cabinet according to the present invention is described as follows: a recessed portion (also referred to as a "kick-in portion") is provided at the bottom of the cabinet, and in this specification, the recessed portion faces the toe of the user. Means a lower portion of the formed cabinet), and a storage portion for articles is provided in the recessed portion of the cabinet.

As described above, the cabinet according to the present invention basically has a configuration in which a switch device is provided in the recessed portion of the cabinet in the cabinet provided with the storage portion for articles in the recessed portion. This switch device
A variety of equipment used near the cabinet, such as lighting, ventilation fans, faucets, water taps, water heaters, electric water heaters, electromagnetic cookers, dishwashers, dish dryers, foot heaters, etc. One or more switch devices that operate one or more.

The concrete structure of the cabinet according to the present invention will be described below in Examples 1 to 3. Examples 1 to 3
FIG. 1A is an enlarged view of FIG.
It is an Example concerning the cabinet used in a kitchen as shown in (b). The cabinet 1 includes a main body storage section 2 including a plurality of drawers and the like in a main body, and a top plate section 3.
Are provided with a sink 4 and a cooking heater 5, etc., and the overall configuration is the same as that of a normal cabinet. However, as a characteristic configuration, the drawer 6 is provided with a drawer 7 that can be pulled out forward as a storage part provided in the drawer.

The drawer 7 has a back plate 7 'and left and right side plates 8
And a lower front plate 9 fixed to the front ends of the left and right side plates 8. An upper front plate 11 is provided on the lower front plate 9 via a horizontal shelf plate 10.
Is attached. A lower end 12 of the upper front plate 11 projects below the shelf board 10, and the lower end 12 functions as a pull. Between the upper front plate 11 and the back plate 7 ', a drop-preventing rod 8' located at the upper left and right of the drawer 7 (the drop-preventing rod 8 'is omitted from FIG. 2 and thereafter) is attached. . The drawer 7 is slidably inserted into a storage space 13 formed in a lower part of the cabinet 1.
The first to third embodiments will be described below based on the above basic configuration.

(Embodiment 1) FIG. 2 is a view for explaining Embodiment 1. The feature of the first embodiment is that a foot switch is provided on the front surface of the lower front plate 9 of the drawer 7 provided in the recess portion 6 of the cabinet 1 (corresponding to "the front surface of the recess portion" in the claims). This is a configuration in which the device 14 is provided. The foot switch device 14 can use various switches that are already known, such as a push-type panel switch operated by pressing a switch panel or the like with a toe, or a touch switch that detects and operates when the toe touches. It is.

In the underfoot switch device 14, the electric wiring 16 extended on the bottom plate 15 of the cabinet 1 is extended through the back plate 17 of the cabinet 1 and connected to a control unit 18 provided in the cabinet 1. This control unit 1
8 is a water supply pipe 20 and a hot water supply pipe 2 connected to a faucet 19.
1 electromagnetic valve 22 for water and electromagnetic valve 2 for hot water
3 are connected by wirings 16 '.

The operation of the first embodiment having such a configuration is as follows. The user can operate the electromagnetic valve 22 for water and the electromagnetic valve 23 for hot water by operating the foot switch device 14 with a toe. In addition, by operating the foot switch device 14, various devices provided near the cabinet 1 can be operated.
Of course, the foot switch device 14 may be provided with a plurality of switches corresponding to a plurality of devices.

(Embodiment 2) FIG. 3 is a view for explaining Embodiment 2. In the second embodiment, similarly to the first embodiment, the drawer 7 is provided in the recess 6 of the cabinet 1. 7 is provided on the front surface of the lower front plate 9 (corresponding to "the front surface of the recessed portion" in the claims).

However, a feature of the second embodiment is that a remote control transmitter 25 is attached to the foot switch device 24 so that an operation signal for operating the foot switch device 24 can be transmitted as a radio wave. . Specifically, a switch unit including the foot switch device 24, the remote control transmitter 25, and a battery power supply (not shown) is pulled out of the drawer 7
To the lower front plate 9. Also in the second embodiment, the foot switch device 24 can be provided with a plurality of switches according to the number of devices to be operated.

A receiver 26 for receiving an operation signal from the transmitter 25 is attached to the back plate 17 of the cabinet 1. The receiver 26 is connected to the control unit 18 provided in the cabinet 1 by electric wiring 27. The controller 18 is connected to the electromagnetic valve 22 for water and the electromagnetic valve 23 for hot water by an electric wiring 27 ′ as in the first embodiment, and controls the opening and closing of these electromagnetic valves.

In the second embodiment, a hand switch device 29 is further provided at the top of the faucet faucet 28, and a transmitter 30 is provided in the hand switch device 29 so that an operation signal can be transmitted by the hand switch. The operation signal transmitted from the transmitter 30 is received by the receiver 26, transmitted to the control unit 18 via the electric wiring 27, and transmitted to the hand switch device 29.
With the operation described above, the opening and closing of the electromagnetic valve 22 for water and the electromagnetic valve 23 for hot water can be controlled.

In the first embodiment, since the foot switch device 24 is connected to the control unit 18 via the electric wiring 16, devices such as a transmitter and a receiver are unnecessary. At this time, since the electric wiring 16 repeatedly bends, there is no possibility that there is no possibility of malfunction due to disconnection. On the other hand, in the second embodiment, the foot switch device 24
Is transmitted wirelessly to the transmitter 25 and the receiver 26,
Further, since the signal can be transmitted to the control unit 18 via the electric wiring 27, the problem of disconnection as in the first embodiment does not occur.

In the second embodiment, the foot switch device 2
4. Although the switch unit including the transmitter 25 and the battery is mounted on the lower front plate 7 of the drawer 7, even if the drawer is not provided in the recess 6 of the cabinet 1, it is opposed to the toe in the recess. For example, a switch unit may be provided on the front surface of a cabinet (corresponding to “the front surface of the recessed portion” in the claims), whereby various devices can be remotely controlled with a toe. It becomes possible.

Third Embodiment FIGS. 4 to 6 are diagrams for explaining a third embodiment. The feature of the third embodiment is that the cabinet 1
A switch device is provided in the recess 6 in the same manner as in the first and second embodiments. This switch device is a branch contact that is opened and closed when the drawer 7 is inserted and removed (a contact that closes or opens an electric circuit by insertion and removal). )). Furthermore, a feature of the third embodiment is that the underfoot warmer is connected to the recess 6.
It is configured to be mounted in a compact state.

The branch contact 31 comprises an outlet 32 and a plug 33, as shown in FIG. The outlet 32 has a recess 34 and two conductive rods 3.
5 is provided in the outlet 32 so as to protrude into the recess 34. The two conductive rods 35 are connected to
Are connected by an electric wiring 37.

The foot warmer 36 is shown in FIGS. 4 (a) and 4 (b),
As shown in FIG. 5A, the drawer 7 is placed almost at the center on the shelf 10. Then, the portion of the shelf 10 corresponding to the outlet of the warm air heater 36 has a structure in which warm air such as a lattice portion or a slit portion is passed. The warm air from the under-air warmer 36 is configured to pass through the shelf 10 and blow out toward the forward and downward toes.

The plug 33 is provided with a recess 34 of the outlet 32.
It is formed in a size that can be inserted into the
The two insertion holes 38 into which the two conductive rods 35 are inserted are formed. Each of the conductive members 3 is inserted into the insertion hole 38.
8 ′ is attached, and the conductive member 38 ′ resiliently contacts the conductive rod 35 when the conductive rod 35 is inserted to be in an electrically contacting state. Since the outlet 32 and the plug 33 have such a configuration, the user does not directly touch the electrical contacts, thus ensuring safety. An electric wiring 39 connected to a power supply is attached to the conductive member 38 '.

As shown in FIGS. 4 to 6, the outlet 32 constituting the branch contact 32 is attached to the inside (inside surface) of the side end of the upper front plate 11 of the drawer 7 of the cabinet 1 as shown in FIGS. On the other hand, as shown in FIGS. 5 (a), 6 (a) and 6 (c), the plug 33 is attached to the side plate 40 of the cabinet 1 (the side plate forming the storage space 13 into which the drawer 7 is inserted). 39 is extended to the back plate 17 of the cabinet 1 along the side plate 40, and further attached so as to be connected to a power source.

The operation of the cabinet according to the third embodiment having such a configuration is as follows. As shown in FIGS. 4 (a) and 5 (a) and 5 (b) and FIGS. 6 (a) and 6 (b), which are enlarged views of the essential parts a and b, the drawer 7 enters the cabinet 1. In a state where the drawer 7 is closed (the state where the drawer 7 is closed), the plug 33 is inserted into the outlet 32,
The conductive rod 35 and the conductive member 38 ′ are in electrical contact with each other, and the foot warmer 36 is energized via the electric wiring 39. Thereby, the underfoot warmer 36 is brought into an operating state, and the warm air is blown toward the underfoot.

FIGS. 4 (b), 6 (c) and 6 (d)
As shown in the figure, when the drawer 7 is pulled out of the cabinet 1 (the drawer 7 is opened), the plug 33 is disconnected from the outlet 32, and the circuit for connecting the foot warmer 36 to the power supply is opened. , Foot warmer 36
Is not operating.

As described above, in the third embodiment, the branch contact 31 can be opened and closed by opening and closing the drawer 7, and the warm air heater 36 can be operated. Since the foot warmer 36 is not installed in the drawer 7 as compared with the conventional foot warmer 44 shown in FIG. 7, the storage space of the drawer 7 can be sufficiently utilized. And since the electric wiring 39 does not bend when the drawer 7 is put in and taken out, disconnection and electric leakage can be prevented. In addition, since there is no need to place an object on the under-foot warmer 36, the maintenance is facilitated.

In the third embodiment, the branch contact 31 of the foot switch device is opened / closed by opening / closing the drawer 7, thereby directly operating the operation of the foot warmer 36. However, the branch contact 31 is closed. It is also possible to set a device such as a warm air heater under the foot to be in an operable standby state, and to connect the device to a power supply for the first time by another switch or control device so as to be operable.

FIG. 4 (d) shows an outlet 32 ′ which is a modification of the outlet 32, which has a configuration in which two conductive rods 35 are directly electrically connected to each other via a conductor 41. When the plug 33 is inserted into such an outlet 32 ′, the circuit having the electric wiring 39 is closed via the conductive rod 35 and the conductive wire 41, and is provided at the recess 6 connected to this circuit or at a place other than the recess 6. Equipment
Remote operation can be performed by opening and closing the drawer 7.

Although the embodiments of the present invention have been described based on the embodiments, the present invention is not limited to the above embodiments, and various modifications may be made within the technical scope described in the claims. It goes without saying that there are various embodiments.

[0042]

According to the present invention having the above configuration, the following effects can be obtained. (1) Since the foot switch device is provided in the recessed portion, the aesthetic appearance is not impaired, and the user does not step on the foot switch device, catch the foot on the electrical wiring, or disturb the electric wire. Even if both hands are closed, you can operate various devices with your feet.

(2) When the foot switch device according to the present invention is provided with a transmitter and is of a wireless type, there is no need for electric wiring, and there is a danger of disconnection or electric leakage due to bending of the electric wiring when the drawer is taken in and out. Not only that, it is not necessary to attach electric wiring by drilling holes in the cabinet, so that the installation is simple and the number of construction steps can be reduced, and the present invention can also be applied to existing cabinets. Even when the electric wiring is connected to the electric wiring, the electric wiring does not bend when the drawer is put in and out, so there is no danger of disconnection or electric leakage.

(3) In the case where the foot switch device according to the present invention is constituted by branch contacts, the electric wiring does not bend when the drawer is put in and taken out, so that disconnection, electric leakage and the like can be prevented.

(4) In the present invention, a drawer is provided in the recessed portion, and a hot air blower is provided on a shelf between the upper and lower front plates of the drawer. The heater can be approached without reduction and without losing things, and maintenance is easy.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an example of a cabinet to which the present invention is applied.

FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIGS. 4A to 4C are diagrams illustrating a third embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 4D is a diagram illustrating a modified example of the outlet.

FIGS. 5A and 5B are diagrams illustrating a third embodiment, in which FIG. 5A is a partial horizontal cross-sectional view of a cabinet, and FIG.
It is -A sectional drawing.

6 (a) and 6 (b) are enlarged views of main parts A and B of FIGS. 5 (a) and 5 (b), and FIGS. 6 (c) and (d) are FIGS.
It is a principal part enlarged view of the state which opened the drawer shown to (b).

FIG. 7 is a diagram showing a conventional example.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1, 42 Cabinet 2 Main body storage part 6 Indentation part 7, 43 Drawer 9 Lower front plate 10 Shelf board 11 Upper front plate 14, 24 Foot switch device 18 Control part 19 Water faucet 22 Electromagnetic valve for water 23 Electromagnetic valve for hot water 25 , 30 transmitter 26 receiver 29 hand switch device 31 branch contact 32 outlet 33 plug 34 recess 35 conductive rod 36, 44 foot warmer

──────────────────────────────────────────────────の Continued on the front page (51) Int.Cl. ⁷ Identification symbol FI Theme coat ゛ (Reference) A47K 1/00 A47K 1/00 S J F24H 3/04 302 F24H 3/04 302 H01H 3/02 H01H 3 / 02 A 3/14 3/14

Claims (8)

[Claims] 1. A cabinet provided with a storage section for articles in a recessed portion, wherein a switch device of a device used near the cabinet is provided in the recessed portion. 2. The cabinet according to claim 1, wherein the switch device is disposed on a front surface of the recess. 3. The cabinet according to claim 1, wherein the switch device has a plurality of switches for operating a plurality of the devices. 4. The cabinet according to claim 1, wherein the switch device includes a transceiver that transmits and receives a radio signal between the recess and the device. 5. The cabinet according to claim 1, wherein the switch device has a branch contact. 6. The device is selected from the group including a lighting, a ventilation fan, a faucet, a water tap, a water heater, an electric water heater, an electromagnetic cooker, a dishwasher, a dish dryer and a foot heater. The cabinet according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the cabinet is one or more devices. 7. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the device is a foot warmer, and the foot warmer is provided at an upper portion on the back side of a front plate of the storage portion, and blows warm air downward. The cabinet according to any one of the preceding claims. 8. The cabinet according to claim 1, wherein the cabinet is a cabinet used in a kitchen, a washroom, or a vanity stand.