JP2005113644A - Faucet - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a faucet having an enhanced assembly workability and maintainability. <P>SOLUTION: The faucet (101) for selecting a water stopping state and a water discharging state by opening and closing an opening/closing valve comprises a faucet main body (102), opening/closing valve units (130, 132) installed on the main body and a push-button (106) installed on the faucet main body and operated to select the water stopping state and the water discharging state by opening and closing the valve units by every push-button operation. The push-button unit has a base plate (112) having a push-button attached thereon in advance, and the base plate is secured on the faucet main body via a securing means (136). <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2005,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to a water faucet device, and more particularly to a water faucet device that switches between a water stop state and a water discharge state by opening and closing an on-off valve.

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, a faucet device has been known in which opening and closing of a valve body is controlled to be switched between two states of a water stop state and a water discharge state by operating a push button.
For example, in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 10-169801 (Patent Document 1), a valve body of a diaphragm type on-off valve is opened and closed by pressing a seesaw lever that swings about a support shaft. There is known a faucet device that is configured to switch between a water stop state and a water discharge state by being positioned in the position.

JP-A-10-169801

In the structure of the faucet device of Patent Document 1 described above, when assembling the device, a diaphragm type on-off valve must be assembled to the faucet body, and then a number of parts constituting the lever must be attached to the faucet body in order. Therefore, the assembly workability of the apparatus is not preferable.
In addition, if the on-off valve breaks down, it is necessary to remove the on-off valve from the faucet body and repair or replace it. At that time, it is also necessary to remove all of the many parts that make up the lever. Was also bad.

  Therefore, the present invention has been made to solve the problems of the prior art, and an object thereof is to provide a water faucet device that can improve assembly workability and maintainability.

In order to achieve the above object, the present invention is a faucet device that switches between a water stop state and a water discharge state by opening and closing an on-off valve, the faucet body, and an on-off valve unit attached to the faucet body, A push button unit that is attached to the faucet body and closes the on-off valve unit to make the water stop state and opens the on-off valve unit to make the water discharge state each time the pressing operation is performed. Has a base plate attached in advance, and this base plate is configured to be attached to the faucet body via a fixing means.
In the present invention configured as above, first, the on-off valve that switches between the water stop state and the water discharge state is unitized as an on-off valve unit, and then the push button is unitized as a push button unit. Is simply attached to the faucet body, so that the assembly workability is improved. Also, when the on-off valve unit is taken out for maintenance, the on-off valve unit can be removed from the faucet body simply by removing the push button unit from the faucet body, so that maintainability is improved.

In the present invention, preferably, the push button of the push button unit is attached to the base plate so that one end of the push button can swing around the axis, and at least in the water discharge state, the lower side surface is at the upper end of the on-off valve unit. In a contact state, it is pressed downward by the urging means.
According to the present invention configured as described above, even when the push button is pressed to be in the water discharge state, the push button is pressed downward by the urging means, so that it does not vibrate (run out).

  In the present invention, preferably, the faucet device is a hot and cold water mixing faucet provided with a temperature adjustment dial, and the on-off valve unit opens and closes the hot water whose temperature has been adjusted to the hot water outlet and the shower water outlet. It has a valve unit and a shower on-off valve unit, and the push button unit has a curan push button and a shower push button.

In the present invention, preferably, the base plate of the push button unit is integrally provided with a partition portion for partitioning the push buttons between the curan push button and the shower push button.
According to the present invention configured as described above, it is possible to prevent the user from operating the currant push button and the shower push button by mistake with a simple structure.

In the present invention, preferably, a temperature adjustment dial is attached to one end of the faucet body, and a push button unit is attached to the other end, whereby the temperature adjustment dial, the curan push button, and the shower push button Are arranged on the faucet body in the order of the temperature adjustment dial, the curan push button, and the shower push button, and further, the position of the curan push button and the position of the curan spout are from above the faucet body. It is configured so that they are almost identical.
According to the present invention configured as described above, the temperature adjustment dial, the curan push button, and the shower push button are arranged in that order on the faucet body, and further, the position and the curan of the curan push button. Since the position of the water discharge port is substantially the same as seen from above the faucet body, it is easy for the user to use.

In the present invention, preferably, the push button unit is attached to the front side of the faucet body, and the flow path formed in the faucet body has water or hot water adjusted in temperature on the front side. It is formed to flow.
According to the present invention configured as described above, since the push button unit is attached to the front side of the faucet body, the operability of the push button is improved. Since the temperature-controlled hot water (temperature-controlled water) flows, there is no need to provide a heat insulating cover or the like.

  According to the faucet device of the present invention, it is possible to improve assembly workability and maintainability.

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings.
First, a basic configuration of a hot and cold water mixing faucet that is a faucet device according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 is an overall perspective view showing a hot and cold water mixing faucet according to an embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 2 is a plan view of the hot and cold water mixing faucet shown in FIG. 1, and FIG. 3 is shown in FIG. FIG. 4 is a development view showing parts of the hot and cold water mixing faucet, FIG. 4 is a plan view showing the faucet body of the embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 5 is a line AA and BB in FIG. It is sectional drawing seen along the line and CC line.

  As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, reference numeral 101 denotes a hot and cold water mixing faucet according to the first embodiment. The hot and cold water mixing faucet 101 is provided so as to protrude from the wall surface that is the installation surface of the hot and cold water mixing faucet 101. ing. This hot and cold water mixing faucet 101 includes a faucet body 102, and a temperature adjustment dial 104 and a push button unit 106 are attached to the faucet body 102. The push button unit 106 includes a curan push button 108 for discharging water, a shower push button 110 for shower water discharge, and a base plate 112 to which these push buttons 108 and 110 are attached.

A desired water temperature is set by the temperature adjustment dial 104, the mixing ratio of hot water and water is adjusted, and water is discharged at an appropriate temperature. Further, by operating the curan push button 108, water is discharged from the curan, and by operating the shower water discharge push button 110, shower water is discharged from the shower head.
Here, operability is improved by providing the operation surfaces of the curan push button 108 and the shower push button 110 on substantially the same surface as the surface of the faucet body 102.

  On the front lower surface side of the faucet body 102 at the position where the push button 108 for curan is attached, a currant spout 116 is provided, and on the lower rear side of the faucet body 102 where the push button 110 for shower is attached, A shower spout 118 (see FIG. 3) is provided. A curan water discharge pipe 120 is connected to the curan water discharge port 116, and a shower hose 122 communicating with a shower head (not shown) is connected to the shower water discharge port 118.

The user sets a desired temperature with the temperature adjustment dial 104, and immediately presses the push button 108 for currant water to obtain water spouting water, and presses the push button 110 for shower water to obtain shower water spouting. The water discharge of the mixed water of desired temperature can be obtained. When the push buttons 108 and 110 are pressed again, the water is stopped.
According to the present embodiment, the temperature adjustment dial 104, the curan push button 108, and the shower push button 110 are arranged on the faucet body 102 in this order, and further, the position of the curan push button 108 and the currant spout. Since the positions of 116 substantially coincide with each other when viewed from above, it is easy for the user to use.

  Next, the flow of hot water in the hot and cold water mixing tap 101 will be described. First, hot water flowing into the hot and cold water mixing tap 102 from the water supply pipe and the hot water supply pipe is a stop cock provided for hot water and water, respectively. Thus, the flow rate is reduced to an appropriate flow rate, passes through a filter and a check valve respectively provided for hot water and water, and flows into the temperature control valve. The temperature control valve is a thermostat type hot and cold water mixing valve. Hot water and water are automatically adjusted to a desired set temperature, and the hot and cold water mixture flows out of the temperature control valve. Thereafter, the hot / cold water is discharged from the curan and the shower head nozzle through the on-off valve units (pilot type on-off valve devices) 130 and 132 provided for the curan and the shower.

As shown in FIG. 3, the on-off valve units 130 and 132 are each fixed to the faucet body 102 by an on-off valve unit mounting nut 134. Here, the detailed structure of the on-off valve units 130 and 132 will be described later with reference to FIGS.
Further, the push button unit 106 includes four locking pieces 168 (see FIG. 6) and two fixing flanges 170 on the upper part of the base plate 112. When the push button unit 106 is attached to the faucet body 102, The four locking pieces 168 are inserted into locking holes (not shown) of the faucet body 102 and locked, and then the fixing flange 170 is fixed from the lower side of the faucet body 102 with a fixing screw 136. By this, it is fixed to the faucet body 102.

Thus, in this embodiment, since the push buttons 108 and 110 are unitized as the push button unit 106, the push button unit 106 may be simply attached to the faucet body 102, and the push buttons 108 and 110 may be attached to the faucet body. The assembly workability when assembling to 102 is improved.
Also, when the on-off valve units 130 and 132 are taken out for maintenance, the on-off valve units 130 and 132 can be removed from the faucet body 102 very simply by removing the push button unit 106 from the faucet body 102. Therefore, maintainability is also improved.

Here, FIG. 5A is a cross-sectional view of the faucet body shown in FIG. 4 taken along line AA, and FIG. 5B is a view of the faucet body taken along line BB. FIG.5 (c) is sectional drawing which looked at the water faucet main body along CC line.
As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, hot water and water are supplied to the faucet body 102 from the back, but water and temperature-adjusted water (temperature-controlled water) flow on the front side. It has become. Therefore, even if the front side of the faucet body 102 is touched, there is no burn, so there is no need to provide a heat insulating cover or the like at that portion.

  In the present embodiment, as described above, a desired temperature is set by the temperature adjustment dial 104. At this time, in this embodiment, the temperature that can be set by the temperature adjustment dial 104 may be up to 45 ° C., which is lower than normal. This is to prevent the user from getting burned even if the user erroneously operates the curan push button 108 and the shower push button 110, particularly the shower push button 110. is there. In the present embodiment, when the temperature that can be set by the temperature adjustment dial 104 is set to 45 ° C., a lock mechanism 142 described later may be used together or may be omitted.

  Next, the detailed structure of the push button unit 106 will be described with reference to FIGS. 6 is a developed view showing the parts of the push button unit 106, FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the push button 108 (110) seen from the back side, FIG. 8 is a front view of the push button unit 106, and FIG. FIG. 10 is a partial cross-sectional view of the hot and cold water mixing faucet showing each level of the push button when the user operates the push button 108 (110). FIG. It is a side view which shows the state of the push button at the time of water (FIG. 11A) and the state of the push button at the time of water discharge (FIG. 11B).

As shown in FIG. 6, the push button unit 106 includes the base plate 112, the curan push button 108 and the shower push button 110 attached to the base plate 112 as described above.
Further, the base plate 112 is integrally provided with a partition portion 138 for partitioning these push buttons between the curan push button 108 and the shower push button 110. Thereby, it is possible to prevent an erroneous operation when the user operates the curan push button 108 and the shower push button 110 with a simple structure.
Further, the push button unit 106 includes a coil spring 140 that is an urging means for pressing the push buttons 108 and 110 against the base plate 111 when the push buttons 108 and 110 are attached to the base plate 112, and the push buttons 108, A lock mechanism 142 for preventing erroneous operation is provided to keep the water stop state and prevent the water discharge state even if the 110 is operated.

Next, as shown in FIG. 7, the push button 108 (110) is provided with a pair of support shafts 144 (144a, 144b) at one end thereof, and the longer support shaft 144a of the support shafts 144 is attached to the push button 108 (110). The coil spring 140 is attached (see FIG. 9). Further, on the back surface side of the push button 108 (110), there is integrally an operation protrusion 146 that contacts the operation portion 36 (see FIG. 19) of the on-off valve unit 130 (132) and transmits the pressing force of the user. Is provided.
Further, as a mechanism for preventing the push button 108 (110) from popping out, the base plate 112 is provided with a stopper portion 164 (see FIG. 10) on the back side of the front lower side thereof, while the push button 108 (110) is provided on the lower side thereof. Are provided with two claw portions 168 (see FIG. 7) that engage with the stopper portion 164.

  As shown in FIG. 9, at the time of attachment, first, the coil spring 140 is attached to the support shaft 144a of the push button 108 (110), and then the claw portion 168 is placed on the back side of the stopper portion 164 of the base plate 112, Attach to the base plate 112. Further, the support shaft 144a of the shower push button 108 is brought into contact with the projection 150 (150a, 150b) forming the mounting groove 148 of the base plate 111, and is elastically deformed to bend inward so as to get over the projection 150. Then, it is mounted in the mounting groove 148 so as to be rotatable (swingable).

  FIG. 10A shows the state of the push button when the water stops (closed state). At this time, the upper surface of the push button 108 (110) and the upper surface (surface) of the faucet body 102 are at the same level. It has become. When the water stops, the position of the operation portion 36 (see FIG. 19) that contacts the operation protrusion 146 on the back side (lower surface side) of the push button 108 (110) in the on-off valve unit 130 (132) The level is L0 by the holding mechanism (heart cam mechanism) 62 (see FIG. 19). During the water stop, the pilot valve switching holding mechanism (heart cam mechanism) 62 is in a state where the lower end portion 64a of the pin 64 is held at the position a (water stop state) shown in FIG.

  Next, when switching from the water stop state to the water discharge state, as shown in FIG. 10B, the push button 108 (110) is temporarily released because the pilot valve switching holding mechanism (heart cam mechanism) 62 is released. Go down to the lowest position. At this time, the pilot valve switching holding mechanism (heart cam mechanism) 62 is in a state in which the lower end portion 64a of the pin 64 is lowered to the position b (button pressed state) shown in FIG.

  Next, when the water discharge operation is finished from the state of FIG. 10B, the state shown in FIG. 10C is obtained, and at this time, the upper surface of the push button 108 (110) is higher by h1 than the faucet body 102. Is in position. Specifically, in this water discharge state, the position of the operation unit 36 that contacts the operation protrusion 146 of the push button 108 (110) in the on-off valve unit 130 (132) is set at the level L1 by the pilot valve switching holding mechanism 62. It has become. The position of the level L1 is higher than the level L0 by h1, and as a result, the push button 108 (110) is positioned above the surface of the faucet body 103. Yes. At the time of water discharge, the pilot valve switching holding mechanism (heart cam mechanism) 62 is in a state where the lower end portion 64a of the pin 64 is held at the position c (water discharge state) shown in FIG.

Next, in this embodiment, as described above, the pop-out prevention mechanism (the stopper portion 164 and the claw portion 168) of the push button 108 (110) is provided. When the push button 108 (110) is attached to the base plate 112, the push button 108 (110) rotates (swings) about the support shafts 144a and 144b as axes, but the push button 108 (110) swings in the protruding direction. For the movement, as shown in FIG. 10C, the claw portion 168 of the push button 108 (110) is engaged (contacted) with the stopper portion 164 of the base plate 112, and therefore the push button 108 (110). Does not protrude from the base plate 112 more than necessary (does not protrude).
As a result, in this embodiment, even when the push button unit 106 is directed downward during assembly work, the push button 108 (110) does not largely swing in the protruding direction. Is easy to handle. Further, when the push button 108 (110) is operated, the push button 108 (110) does not jump out of the base plate 112 more than necessary and is not violated.

As shown in FIG. 11A, when the water stops, the push button 108 (110) is caused by a relatively small urging force by the coil spring 140 acting between the push button 108 (110) and the base plate 111. Alternatively, it is pressed downward against the operating portion 36 of the on-off valve unit 130 (132) in a state where the urging force is substantially zero. Further, as shown in FIG. 11 (b), at the time of water discharge, the push button 108 (110) is pressed downward by a relatively large urging force by the coil spring 140.
For this reason, when the user performs a water discharge operation for changing the water stop state to the water discharge state, the push button 108 (110) is pressed downward by the coil spring 140 to the base plate 111, that is, the button itself. It is possible to prevent vibration (exploding). Similarly, when the user performs a water stop operation for changing the water discharge state to the water stop state, the push button 108 (110) is similarly pressed down by the coil spring 140 to the base plate 111, that is, downward. , It is possible to prevent the button itself from vibrating (running out).

  Next, a method for attaching the lock mechanism 142 will be described with reference to FIGS. 12 is a view of the base plate as viewed from the direction F in FIG. 6, FIG. 13 is a cross-sectional view taken along line GG in FIG. 12, and FIG. 14 is a front view showing the lock mechanism. FIG. 15 is a side view of FIG. 14, and FIG. 16 is a cross-sectional view of the push button unit 106 showing a state in which the lock mechanism is attached.

First, as shown in FIGS. 12 and 13, the base plate 112 has a central bottom surface portion 172 on the bottom surface of the central portion, is formed higher than the other bottom surface portions 174 on the bottom surfaces on both sides, and further, The bottom surface portion 172 is provided with a protrusion 176 that protrudes downward.
Next, as shown in FIGS. 14 and 15, the lock mechanism 142 includes a locking piece 178 at the lower portion thereof, and a locking port portion 180 is formed by the locking piece 178. Further, a step 182 is formed on the upper surface side of the locking piece 178, and a knob 184 is formed on the lower surface side.

  Next, when attaching the lock mechanism 142 to the base plate 112, first, as shown in FIG. 16, the center bottom surface portion 172 of the base plate 112 is inserted into the locking port portion 180 of the lock mechanism 142. Next, the locking piece 178 of the lock mechanism 142 gets over the protrusion 176 of the base plate 112, so that the protrusion 176 fits in the step 182, and as a result, the lock mechanism 142 is attached to the base plate 112.

  In this embodiment, the lock mechanism 142 is moved in the left-right direction along the base plate 112. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the lock mechanism is attached to the partition portion 138 of the base plate 112, and the lock mechanism is moved in the up-down direction. You may do it.

  Next, the lock mechanism 142 will be described with reference to FIGS. 6 to 8 and FIG. As shown in FIG. 6, the lock mechanism 142 includes four locking protrusions 152 that are integrally formed. Further, as shown in FIG. 7, the push button 108 (110) includes two locking ribs 154 that are integrally formed. As shown in FIGS. 8 and 17, the lock mechanism 142 is movable in the right direction R and the left direction L, respectively, when operated by the user.

  As shown in FIG. 17A, when the user does not use the hot and cold water mixing tap 101, the lock mechanism 142 is moved in the right direction R so that the four locking protrusions 152 are placed on the locking rib 154. The push button 108 (110) is locked by being brought into contact with each other so that the push button 108 (110) is not lowered even if pressed, thereby preventing an erroneous operation.

As shown in FIG. 17 (b), when using the hot and cold water mixing tap 101, the user moves the lock mechanism 142 in the left direction L so that the four lock protrusions 152 are separated from the lock ribs 154. The lock of the push button 108 (110) is released, and when the push button 108 (110) is pressed, the push button 108 (110) is lowered to switch to a water discharge state.
With this locking mechanism 142, when the hot water mixing tap 101 is not used, even if the user accidentally operates the push button 108 (110), the push button is locked, so that the water discharge state does not occur. The danger that occurs when the hot water is hot can be avoided.

Next, the basic structure of the on-off valve unit 130 (132), which is a pilot-type on-off valve device, will be described with reference to FIG.
As shown in FIG. 18, the on-off valve unit 130 (132) includes an operation unit 36 that is pushed downward by the pressing operation when the user presses the shower push button 108 (110), and the operation unit 36 includes A push rod 38 having ends connected thereto and a pilot valve 40 provided at the tip of the push rod 38 are provided. Here, a coil spring 42 as a buffer means is provided between the tip (lower end) of the push rod 38 and the pilot valve 40. The on-off valve unit 32 is further provided with a pilot valve port (pressure release hole) 44 below the pilot valve 40, a diaphragm type main valve 46 with which the pilot valve 40 abuts and disengages from the pilot valve port 44, and this A housing 50 is formed on the back surface of the main valve 46 for forming a pressure chamber 48 for accommodating the push rod 38, the pilot valve 40 and the coil spring 42, and a valve seat 52 on which the surface of the main valve 46 is seated and separated. I have. Further, a seal member 54 is provided at a portion of the housing 50 where the push bar 38 is inserted. Further, a small hole (primary pressure inlet) 56 is formed on the outer peripheral side of the main valve 46.

Next, the basic operation of the on-off valve unit 130 (132) will be described. In the on-off valve unit 130 (132), the pilot valve 40 provided in the pressure chamber 48 is brought into contact with and dissociated from the pilot valve port 44 of the main valve 46, thereby opening and closing the pilot valve 40 and stopping water. It is designed to switch between water discharge.
First, when switching from the water discharge state to the water stop state, the pilot valve 40 must be pushed by the push rod 38 in the direction in which the pilot valve 40 abuts the pilot valve port 44. At this time, the push bar 38 receives an upward force due to the water pressure acting on the area corresponding to the cross-sectional area thereof, and further has a sliding frictional resistance due to the seal member 54. It is necessary to push the operation portion 36 against these. However, this force (operation force) is a small value.

  Next, when the pilot valve 40 comes into contact with the pilot valve port 44 of the main valve 46, the primary pressure water in the primary side water passage flows into the pressure chamber 48 through the small hole 56, and accordingly, the main valve 46. Moves toward the valve seat 52 at a slow speed. As a result, the main valve 46 is seated on the valve seat 52 and switched to the water stop state.

  Further, in the on-off valve unit 130 (132), the coil spring 42 as a buffer means is provided between the push rod 38 and the pilot valve 40, that is, in the pressure chamber 48. The force does not act until the pilot valve 40 abuts on the pilot valve port 44. Further, as will be described in detail later, a small force may be applied after the pilot valve 40 abuts on the pilot valve port 44. .

  When switching from the water stop state to the water discharge state, if the operation unit 36 is pressed, the pilot valve 40 is connected to the pilot valve port (pressure release) of the main valve 46 by a pilot valve holding switching mechanism 62 and an urging spring 68 described later. The pressure chamber 48 is opened, the main valve 46 is separated from the valve seat 52, and the water is discharged (see FIG. 18).

  In the on-off valve unit 32, as described above, the moving speed of the main valve 46 is intentionally reduced, but this is to suppress the occurrence of a water hammer when the main valve 46 is closed. That is, when the primary water flows into the pressure chamber 48 from the small hole 56 provided in the main valve 46, the pressure chamber 48 is filled with the primary pressure water, and the main valve 46 moves toward the valve seat 52. However, since the small hole 56 usually has a very small diameter, the inflow speed of water into the pressure chamber 48 can be suppressed, thereby suppressing the moving speed (closing speed) of the main valve 46 and the water hammer when the main valve is closed. I try to suppress the occurrence of.

  Next, the structure of the on-off valve unit (pilot-type on-off valve device) 130 (132) will be described more specifically with reference to FIGS. 19 is a cross-sectional view showing a water stop state (closed state) in the on-off valve unit (pilot type on-off valve device), and FIG. 20 shows a water discharge state (open state) in the on-off valve unit (pilot type on-off valve device). It is sectional drawing.

  First, as shown in FIG. 19, the on-off valve unit 32 includes the operation unit 36, push rod 38, pilot valve 40, coil spring 42 serving as a buffer means, pilot valve port (pressure release hole) already described with reference to FIG. A diaphragm-type main valve 46 having 44, a housing 50 (50a, 50b) for forming a pressure chamber 48, a valve seat 52, a seal member 54, and a small hole 56 are provided.

  Next, a cleaning pin 58 is inserted into the small hole (primary pressure inlet) 56 described above, and the water flow area of the primary pressure inlet of the small hole 56 is reduced. Accordingly, as described above, the closing speed of the main valve 46 is made gentle by suppressing the inflow speed of the primary pressure into the pressure chamber, and the water hammer generated at the closing time can be reduced.

The housing 50 forming the pressure chamber 48 includes a first housing 50a that mainly surrounds a space in which the pilot valve 40 is disposed, and a second housing 50b that surrounds a space on the back side of the main valve 46.
Further, an assembly nut 60 for assembling the on-off valve unit 32 is assembled on the outermost peripheral side by assembling four parts of the operation portion 36, the first housing 50a, the second housing 50b, and the valve seat 52. Yes.

  The on-off valve unit 130 (132) further includes a pilot valve switching holding mechanism 62. The pilot valve switching holding mechanism 62 is interlocked with the above-described curan push button 108 and shower push button 110, and every time the push buttons 108 and 110 are pushed, that is, every time the operation unit 36 is pushed. The pilot valve 40 has a function of repeatedly switching the water discharge state position and the water stop state position and holding the pilot valve 40 at the water discharge state position and the water stop state position.

  The pilot valve switching and holding mechanism 62 may be a mechanism generally used in a knock type ballpoint pen knock mechanism or the like, but in this embodiment, as shown in FIG. An inverted heart-shaped cam groove 66 that is formed on the outer peripheral surface of the first housing 50a and moves along the lower side of the pin 64 while elastically deforming, and for holding the pin 64 in a water-stopped state (closed state) A heart cam mechanism formed from the protrusions 68.

  Here, the detailed structure and operation of the pilot valve switching holding mechanism (heart cam mechanism) 62 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 21 is an enlarged view showing a pilot valve switching holding mechanism (heart cam mechanism) used in the on-off valve unit. As shown in FIG. 21, each time the user presses the push buttons 108 and 110, the lower end portion 64 a of the pin 64 is moved to a position (water stop state), b position (push-in state), and c position (water discharge). State) and d position (push-in state). That is, at the position a (water stop state), the lower end portion 64a of the pin 64 is held by the holding protrusion 64, and the water stop state is held. Next, when the water discharge operation is performed from the water stop state to the water discharge state, the lower end portion 64a of the pin 64 moves along the shape of the cam groove 66 and falls to the b position (pressed state), and then the c position (water discharge state). The water discharge state is maintained at this position. Next, when the water stop operation is performed from the water discharge state to the water stop state, the lower end portion 64a of the pin 64 moves from the c position (water discharge state) along the shape of the cam groove 66 and drops to the d position (push-in state). Then, it moves to a position (water discharge state), and the water stop state is maintained at this position.

  Since the pilot valve switching and holding mechanism 62 is a heart cam mechanism, only the reciprocating motion (vertical motion) of the push rod 38 acts on the seal member 54 that seals the pressure chamber 48. Since the rotational motion does not act, the burden on the seal member 54 is reduced, and high reliability is obtained.

  Further, as shown in FIGS. 19 and 20, reference numeral 69 denotes an urging spring. When the urging spring 69 is used to switch from the water-stopping state to the water-discharging state, that is, the push buttons 8, 10 are used. Is pushed, the holding at the water stop state by the pilot valve switching holding mechanism 62 is released, the operation unit 36 is biased upward, the pilot valve 40 is disengaged from the valve body 42, and is easily switched to the water discharge state. Be able to.

  Next, the connecting portion between the push rod 38 and the pilot valve 40 will be described. As shown in FIGS. 19 and 20, the movement distance (displacement amount) of the push rod 38 in the stroke direction is absorbed in the pressure chamber 48 at the tip (lower end) of the push rod 38 as described above. A coil spring 42 which is a buffer means is provided. A large diameter portion 38 a is formed at the tip (lower end) of the push rod 38, and a packing 40 a is attached to the tip of the pilot valve 40. The pilot valve 40 has a hollow portion 40b, and a coil spring 42 is built in the hollow portion 40b. An insertion hole 40c into which the push rod 38 is slidably inserted is formed above the pilot valve 40. The pilot valve 40 is made of an elastically deformable resin material. When the pilot valve 40 is assembled, the push rod 38 is inserted into the insertion hole 40c while the pilot valve 40 is deformed, and the large portion of the push rod 38 is inserted into the hollow portion 40b. The diameter portion 38a is accommodated. Here, the coil spring 42 acts in a direction to separate the push rod 38 and the pilot valve 40.

Thereby, at the time of water discharge operation to switch from the water stop state to the water discharge state, the large diameter portion 38a at the tip of the push rod 38 and the upper side of the pilot valve 40 are engaged by the urging force of the coil spring 42. In conjunction with the movement of the push rod 38, the seat moves away from the pilot valve port 44 formed in the main valve 46 (see FIG. 20).
In the water stop operation for switching from the water discharge state to the water stop state, when the pilot valve 40 abuts on the pilot valve port 44 formed in the main valve 46, the large diameter portion 38a of the push rod 38 is separated from the upper side of the pilot valve 40. However, the movement distance (displacement amount) of the push rod 38 in the stroke direction is absorbed by the coil spring 42 (see FIG. 19).

  As a result, during the water stop operation, there is a difference in operating force between (1) until the pilot valve 40 contacts the pilot valve port 44 and (2) after the pilot valve 40 contacts the pilot valve port 44. (Unevenness) is eliminated, and the operational feeling is preferable.

  Further, in the on-off valve unit 130 (132), as described above, the upward force (water pressure acting on the area corresponding to the cross-sectional area of the push rod 38) received by the water pressure in the pressure chamber 48 is applied to the push rod 38. Therefore, in order to reduce the operating force in the operating portion 36, the diameter of the push rod 38 is preferably as small as possible. For example, the push rod 38 may be formed with a smaller diameter than the pilot valve port 44 of the main valve 46 (not shown). Thereby, even at the time of high water pressure, the operating force (pushing force) can be lowered and reliable water-stopping can be ensured.

  Further, when the pilot valve 40 is stopped, that is, when the pilot valve 40 is seated on the pilot valve port 44, the pilot valve 40 receives the primary pressure, and as a result, the pilot valve 40 is seated on the pilot valve port 44. The force works in the direction to make sure the water stop function.

  Further, the push bar 38 is formed of stainless steel. For this reason, even when the push rod 38 has a small diameter, sufficient corrosion resistance is obtained for use in water, and reliability is improved.

Next, according to FIG. 22 and FIG. 23, according to the above-described pilot type on-off valve device (on-off valve unit), the load (spring load) acting on the coil spring which is the buffer means is reduced, and the spring constant is thereby reduced. The size can be reduced, and as a result, a good operational feeling can be obtained, and compactness can be achieved. The reason will be described below.
Here, a description will be given by taking as an example a condition that the diameter of the push rod 38 is 2 mm, the water pressure is 0.75 MPa (maximum value of the water pressure), and the force against the sliding frictional resistance of the seal member 54 is 0.6N.

  FIG. 22 shows the movement distance (displacement amount) (mm) and the operating force F (when the water stop operation is performed by the on-off valve unit used in the present embodiment (when switching from the water discharge state to the water stop state). N) is a diagram showing a relationship with N). FIG. 23 shows the relationship between the moving distance (displacement amount) (mm) of the operation unit 36 during the water stop operation by the on-off valve unit used in this embodiment and the spring load (N) acting on the coil spring. FIG. Here, d0 is a position when the water stop operation is started, d1 is a position where the pilot valve 40 abuts on the pilot valve port 44, and d2 is a lowermost position at which the operation unit 36 can be moved (displaced) by the pilot valve switching holding mechanism 62. Indicates the position.

First, in the present embodiment, the coil spring 42 is attached to the hollow portion 40b of the pilot valve 40 in a state where a very small load (for example, 0.1 N) is applied during assembly.
Next, between the position d0 and the position d1, that is, until the pilot valve 40 comes into contact with the pilot valve port 44, the force applied to the push rod 38 by the above-described water pressure is 2.4 N (= the push rod The cross-sectional area × water pressure = 3.14 mm 2 × 0.75 MPa) and the operating force 3N (= 2.4N + 0.6N) that balances the resultant force of 0.6N against the sliding frictional resistance of the seal member 54 is acting. As a result, as shown in FIG. 6, until the pilot valve 40 contacts the pilot valve port 44, the operating force F is 3N.
On the other hand, until the pilot valve 40 comes into contact with the pilot valve port 44 (between the position d0 and the position d1), as shown in FIG. 6, no load is applied to the coil spring 42. The spring load is zero.

Next, after the pilot valve 40 comes into contact with the pilot valve port 44, it is necessary to bend the coil spring 42 by operating force. The pilot spring 40 contacts the pilot valve port 44 with this coil spring 42. Since almost no load is applied until contact, the spring load that acts to deflect the coil spring 42 may be a very small load (nearly zero). Therefore, in the pilot type on-off valve device used in the present embodiment, the spring load is reduced at the lowermost position d2 where the operating portion 36 can move (displace). A small spring constant was set to a value of about 0.4N.
More specifically, the deflection amount (δ) of the coil spring 42 is 4 mm after the pilot valve 40 comes into contact with the pilot valve port 44, that is, when the moving distance of the operation portion changes from d1 to d2. . Here, when the spring load at the time of assembly is zero, the spring constant of the coil spring 42 is 0.1 N / mm (= 0.4 N / 4 mm), and the spring load at the time of assembly is 0.1 N. In this case, 0.075 N / mm (= (0.4−0.1) N / 4 mm).

Here, the preferable range of the spring constant of the coil spring which is a buffer means in the on-off valve unit of this embodiment will be described.
First, in the present embodiment, a range of 0.01 to 2 N / mm is preferable, and by setting the spring constant of the coil spring to this range, (1) the pilot valve 40 is connected to the pilot valve port 44 during the water stop operation. (2) There is no difference (unevenness) in operating force both after the pilot valve 40 comes into contact with the pilot valve port 44 and the feeling of operation becomes favorable.

  Next, when the operation force (3N) until the pilot valve 40 abuts on the pilot valve port 44 (between d0 and d1) is set as the initial operation force, after the pilot valve 40 abuts on the pilot valve port 44, If the applied operating force (spring load) is equal to or less than the initial operating force value (3N), during the water stop operation, (1) until the pilot valve 40 contacts the pilot valve port 44 (2 ) There is no difference (unevenness) in the operating force both after the pilot valve 40 abuts on the pilot valve port 44, and the operational feeling becomes more preferable. In this case, the spring constant of the coil spring may be set to 0.01 to P1d2π / (4δ) N / mm. Here, δ is a deflection amount (mm) of the coil spring, P1 is a hydraulic pressure (MPa), and d is a diameter (mm) of the push rod portion.

More specifically, the case described above will be described. When the diameter of the push rod is 2 mm, the water pressure is 0.75 MPa (maximum value of the water supply pressure), and the deflection amount of the coil spring 42 is 4 mm, the coil spring The spring constant is 0.01 to 0.75 N / mm (= 3 N / 4 mm).
For this reason, in this embodiment, the spring constant of the coil spring may be set in a range of 0.01 to 0.75 N / mm, whereby (1) the pilot valve 40 is connected to the pilot valve port 44. Until the contact, (2) the difference (unevenness) in the operation force disappears both after the pilot valve 40 contacts the pilot valve port 44, and the operation feeling becomes more preferable.

  The minimum value of the spring constant of the coil spring in the present embodiment described above is a condition necessary for reducing the spring constant of the coil spring, which reduces the diameter of the spring gland material of the coil spring, and reduces the number of turns of the coil spring. Based on the three conditions of increasing the diameter of the coil spring, it was set to 0.01 N / mm.

Thus, in this embodiment, the spring constant of the coil spring 42 can be set small.
As a result, as is apparent from FIG. 22, as described above, during the water stop operation, (1) until the pilot valve 40 comes into contact with the pilot valve port 44, and (2) the pilot valve 40 moves to the pilot valve port 44. In both cases after the contact, the difference (unevenness) in the operation force disappears, and the operation feeling is preferable.
Furthermore, according to the present embodiment, as is apparent from FIG. 23, the spring load acting on the spring is reduced, a good operational feeling can be obtained, and further downsizing can be achieved.

  Further, when the shower push button 10 or the like is strongly pressed and the pilot valve 40 is rapidly brought into contact with the pilot valve port 44 to close the valve, the spring constant of the coil spring 42 is set to a small value, thereby reducing the spring load. Since it is made small, the moving speed of the main valve 46 can be slowed. As a result, the generation of an instantaneous large load acting on the main valve is prevented, and the life of the diaphragm can be extended.

1 is an overall perspective view showing a hot and cold water mixing faucet according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a plan view of the hot and cold water mixing faucet shown in FIG. 1. It is an expanded view which expand | deploys and shows the components of the hot / cold water mixing faucet shown in FIG. It is a top view which shows the faucet main body of embodiment of this invention. It is sectional drawing seen along the AA line of FIG. 4, a BB line, and CC line. It is an expanded view which expands and shows the components of the pushbutton unit by embodiment of this invention. It is the perspective view which looked at the pushbutton by embodiment of this invention from the back side. It is a front view which shows the pushbutton unit by embodiment of this invention. It is sectional drawing seen along the DD line | wire of FIG. It is a fragmentary sectional view of the hot and cold water mixing faucet showing each level of the push button when the user operates the push button. It is a side view which shows the state (FIG. 11 (a)) of the push button at the time of water stop by embodiment of this invention, and the state (FIG.11 (b)) of the push button at the time of water discharge. It is the figure which looked at the base plate of this embodiment from the F direction of FIG. It is sectional drawing seen along the GG line of FIG. It is a front view which shows the locking mechanism of this embodiment. It is a side view of FIG. It is sectional drawing of the pushbutton unit which shows the state in which the lock mechanism in this embodiment was attached. It is a perspective view which shows the time of the lock | rock by the locking mechanism of the pushbutton unit of embodiment of this invention, and the time of lock release. It is the schematic which shows the basic structure of the on-off valve unit of embodiment of this invention. It is sectional drawing which shows the water stop state (closed state) in an on-off valve unit. It is sectional drawing which shows the water discharge state (open state) in an on-off valve unit. It is an enlarged view which shows the pilot valve switching holding | maintenance mechanism (heart cam mechanism) used for an on-off valve unit. FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a relationship between a movement distance (displacement amount) of an operation unit and an operation force F during a water stop operation according to the present embodiment. It is the diagram which showed the relationship between the movement distance (displacement amount) of the operation part at the time of the water stop operation by this embodiment, and the spring load (N) which acts on a coil spring.

Explanation of symbols

101 Water tap faucet 102 Water faucet body
106 Push Button Unit 108 Push Button for Curran 110 Push Button for Shower 112 Base Plate 116 Callan Spout 118 Shower Spout 120 Curran Spout Pipe 130,132 Open / Close Valve Unit (Pilot Open / Close Valve Device)
134 On-off valve unit mounting nut 136 Fixing screw 138 Partition 140 Coil spring (biasing means)
142 Locking mechanism 144 Support shaft 146 Operation protrusion 148 Mounting groove 150 Projection 152 Locking protrusion 154 Locking rib 164 Stopper part 166 Claw part 168 Locking piece 170 Fixing flange 172 Central bottom face part 174 Other bottom face part 176 Projection 178 Locking piece 180 Locking opening 182 Step 184 Knob

Claims (6)

A faucet device that switches between a water stop state and a water discharge state by opening and closing an on-off valve,
The faucet body,
An on-off valve unit attached to the faucet body,
A push button unit that is attached to the faucet body and closes the on-off valve unit every time a pressing operation is performed to make the water stop state and open the on-off valve unit to make the water discharge state,
The faucet device according to claim 1, wherein the push button unit has a base plate to which the push button is attached in advance, and the base plate is attached to the faucet body via a fixing means.   The push button of the push button unit is attached to the base plate so that one end of the push button can swing around the axis, and at least in the water discharge state, the lower side surface is in contact with the upper end of the on-off valve unit. The faucet device according to claim 1, wherein the faucet device is pressed downward by an urging means.   The faucet device is a hot and cold water mixing faucet provided with a temperature adjustment dial, and the on-off valve unit is a curran on / off valve unit for discharging hot water whose temperature is adjusted to a curan spout and a shower spout and a shower The faucet device according to claim 1, further comprising an on-off valve unit, wherein the push button unit includes a curan push button and a shower push button.   4. The faucet device according to claim 3, wherein the base plate of the push button unit is integrally provided with a partition for partitioning the push buttons between the curan push button and the shower push button.   The temperature adjustment dial is attached to one end of the faucet body, and the push button unit is attached to the other end, so that the temperature adjustment dial, the curan push button, and the shower push button are adjusted in temperature. The dial is placed on the faucet body in the order of the dial, the curan push button, and the shower push button. Further, the position of the curan push button and the position of the above-mentioned curan spout are substantially the same as seen from above the faucet body. The faucet device according to claim 3, wherein the faucet device is configured to be   The push button unit is attached to the front side of the faucet body, and the flow path formed in the faucet body is formed so that water or hot water whose temperature is adjusted flows to the front side. The faucet device according to any one of claims 1 to 5.

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