JP2011074596A - Water discharge device - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a water discharge device superior in receivability of an infrared remote-control signal. <P>SOLUTION: Characteristically, this water discharge device includes a head portion 2 which discharges water and which has a transmission portion 20 transmitting an infrared signal, a casing 4 which has a reception window 44 enabling the passage of the infrared signal and which houses a reception portion 40 for receiving the infrared signal passing through the reception window 44, a valve portion 6 for adjusting the quantity of water supplied to the head portion 2, a control portion 5 which controls the operation of the valve portion 6 on the basis of information on the infrared signal received by the reception portion 40, and a hose portion 3 which supplies the water to the head portion from the valve portion 6; and the reception window 44 is arranged on a front or under surface of a counter 10. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2011,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a water discharge device, and more particularly to a water discharge device that controls water discharge, water discharge flow rate, and the like by transmitting and receiving infrared signals.

  Until now, in order to improve the operability for the user, a shower device that controls the temperature and amount of hot water using a remote control signal such as radio waves or infrared rays has been proposed (for example, Patent Document 1). The transmitter of the remote control can be provided, for example, in a head part from which shower water is discharged, so that the user can perform operations such as shower water discharge and flow rate adjustment while holding the shower head.

  Among various remote controllers, infrared remote controllers are inexpensive, can carry a large amount of information, are less susceptible to noise, and have few malfunctions, and are widely used in home appliances and the like.

  Here, in the case of using an infrared remote controller, a receiving element such as a photodiode is provided on the receiving side to detect infrared rays. These receiving elements may detect not only infrared rays but also visible light. As a result, a malfunction may occur. For this reason, generally, a filter (reception window) that blocks visible light is provided on the reception side. The reception window is provided, for example, in a part of a member that covers the reception element, and the reception element senses infrared light that has passed through the reception window.

  However, since the reception window is often arranged where hot water is easily applied, water tends to accumulate in the reception window. For this reason, the reception window is likely to cause water scale, and there is a risk of poor reception of infrared signals due to water scale.

  Furthermore, when the reception window is disposed on the faucet device or the peripheral member, there is a risk of poor reception by placing a cleaning agent on the reception window.

Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 61-27447

  The present invention provides a water discharger that is excellent in the ability to receive infrared remote control signals.

  According to one aspect of the present invention, the head unit having a transmission unit that discharges water and transmits an infrared signal, and the reception window through which the infrared signal can be transmitted, the infrared signal transmitted through the reception window is transmitted. A casing for storing a receiving unit for receiving, a valve unit for adjusting the amount of water supplied to the head unit, and a control for controlling the operation of the valve unit based on information of the infrared signal received by the receiving unit And a hose part for supplying the water from the valve part to the head part, and the receiving window is disposed on the front surface or the lower surface of the counter. .

  ADVANTAGE OF THE INVENTION According to this invention, the water discharging apparatus excellent in the receiving property of an infrared remote control signal is provided.

1 is a schematic perspective view illustrating a water discharge device 1 according to an embodiment of the invention. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a main configuration of a water discharge device 1. FIG. It is a model perspective view which illustrates the condition which has arranged the water discharging apparatus 1 in the bathroom. 3 is a schematic view illustrating a head unit 2. FIG. 3 is a schematic plan view illustrating an operation unit 21. FIG. 6 is a schematic view illustrating another configuration of the reception window 44. FIG. It is a schematic diagram which illustrates the structure of the casing 4 and its periphery. It is a schematic diagram which illustrates the structure of the casing 4 and its periphery. It is a schematic diagram which illustrates the structure of the casing 4 and its periphery. It is sectional drawing which illustrates the structure of the counter 10 and its periphery.

1st invention has a head part which has a transmission part which discharges water, and transmits an infrared signal, and a receiving window which can permeate | transmit the said infrared signal, The reception which receives the said infrared signal which permeate | transmitted the said receiving window A casing for storing a part, a valve part for adjusting the amount of water supplied to the head part, a control part for controlling the operation of the valve part based on information of the infrared signal received by the receiving part, And a hose part for supplying the water from the valve part to the head part, and the receiving window is disposed on the front surface or the lower surface of the counter.
According to this water discharging apparatus, the water discharging apparatus excellent in the receiving property of the infrared remote control signal is provided.

2nd invention is the water discharging apparatus characterized by the said casing having two or more said receiving windows in 1st invention.
According to this water discharging apparatus, the infrared signal reception performance is further improved.

A third invention is the water discharge device according to any one of the first and second inventions, wherein the counter stores the valve portion.
According to this water discharging apparatus, it is possible to prevent the wiring connecting the receiving unit and the control unit, the wiring connecting the control unit and the valve unit, and the like from being exposed to the outside. For this reason, the joint part between members can be reduced in a counter, and possibility that water will approach into the counter can be reduced. Thereby, the contamination of the components in the counter and the wiring can be suppressed.

A fourth invention is the water discharge device according to any one of the first to third inventions, wherein the reception window has hydrophilicity on the surface.
According to this water discharging apparatus, it is possible to reduce the influence of water droplets on the reception window, and to prevent poor reception of infrared signals in a water use environment.

A fifth invention is the water discharge device according to any one of the first to third inventions, wherein the reception window has water repellency on a surface thereof.
According to this water discharging apparatus, it is possible to reduce the influence of water droplets on the reception window, and to prevent poor reception of infrared signals in a water use environment.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. In addition, in each drawing, the same code | symbol is attached | subjected to the same component and detailed description is abbreviate | omitted suitably.
FIG. 1 is a schematic perspective view illustrating a water discharge device 1 according to an embodiment of the invention.
FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating the main configuration of the water discharge device 1.
FIG. 3 is a schematic perspective view illustrating a situation where the water discharge device 1 is disposed in the bathroom.

As shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, the water discharge device 1 according to the present embodiment can be applied to a bathroom shower device or the like, and has a transmission unit 20 that discharges water and transmits an infrared signal. 2, a receiving window 44 through which infrared signals can be transmitted, a counter 10 that stores a receiving unit 40 that receives infrared signals transmitted through the receiving window 44, and a valve that adjusts the amount of water supplied to the head unit 2 The control part 5 which controls the operation | movement of the valve part 6 based on the information of the infrared signal which the receiving part 40 received by the part 6, and the hose part 3 which supplies water to the head part 2 from the valve part 6 are provided. The head unit 2 has an operation unit 21. The user operates the operation unit 21 to input instruction information such as spout water and water discharge flow rate, and the transmission unit 20 transmits an infrared signal corresponding to the input information. The infrared signal transmitted from the transmission unit 20 may directly travel in the direction of the reception window 44, or may be reflected by the ceiling surface 103, the floor surface 101, the wall surface 102, etc. of the bathroom 100 and proceed to the reception window 44. Sometimes. The receiving unit 40 receives the infrared signal transmitted through the receiving window 44 and transmits the infrared signal to the control unit 5. The control unit 5 controls the operation of the valve unit 6 based on the received infrared signal. As a result, the water discharge and water discharge flow rate are controlled. In the present specification, the term “water” includes not only cold water but also heated hot water and hot water.
As shown in FIG. 3, the water discharge device 1 can be provided in the bathroom 100 around the bathtub 104 and the illumination lamp 105 in the wall surface 102. A mirror 106 or a soap stand (not shown) can be provided around the water discharge device 1. Thereby, the user can receive the illumination from the illuminating lamp 105 and can wash the body while looking at the mirror 106, and can enter the bathtub 104 immediately after the washing. Moreover, the water discharging apparatus 1 can be provided in other arbitrary places by the size of a bathroom, a usage pattern, etc.

  Here, in the present embodiment, the reception window 44 is disposed on the front surface or the lower surface of the counter. The “horizontal direction” is a direction perpendicular to the direction of gravity of the earth. In FIG. 1, the front portion of the counter is an inclined surface, and substantially the entire reception window 44 is also an inclined surface. That is, the reception window 44 is provided to be inclined with respect to the horizontal direction. With this configuration, the water on the reception window 44 is likely to flow vertically downward along the inclined reception window 44. For this reason, it becomes difficult for water to collect in the receiving window 44, and it is possible to suppress the occurrence of water scale in the receiving window 44. Thereby, the reception failure of the infrared signal by water scale can be suppressed, and reception performance is ensured appropriately.

Next, each component will be described in detail.
FIG. 4 is a schematic view illustrating the head unit 2. 4 (A) and 4 (C) are schematic side views, and FIGS. 4 (B) and 4 (D) are schematic plan views corresponding to FIGS. 4 (A) and 4 (C), respectively.

  As shown in FIGS. 4A to 4D, the transmission unit 20 can be provided in the head unit 2 on the tip side of the grip unit 2 </ b> A (portion gripped by the user). Thereby, when a user uses the head part 2, possibility that the transmission part 20 will be hidden by a user's hand becomes low, and it can transmit an infrared signal from the transmission part 20 favorably. The transmission part 20 can have infrared light emitting elements, such as infrared LED (LIGHT EMITING DIODE: light emitting diode), for example. One or a plurality of transmitters 20 can be provided, but providing a plurality improves the reception performance of infrared signals as will be described below.

  The position of the hand shower having the head portion 2 and the hose portion 3 is generally freely changed during use. For this reason, the position of the transmission unit 20 also changes, and as a result, the transmission direction of the infrared signal changes. Thereby, an infrared signal may not be transmitted appropriately in the direction of the reception window 44.

  Therefore, as shown in FIGS. 4A to 4D, the head unit 2 includes two transmission units 20A and 20B, and the transmission direction from the transmission unit 20A and the transmission direction from the transmission unit 20B are different. It is possible to adopt a configuration in which the direction is the opposite direction (in particular, the direction having a difference of about 180 degrees).

  For example, as illustrated in FIGS. 4A and 4B, the transmission unit 20A can be provided on the water discharge surface 2B side, and the transmission unit 20B can be provided on the side opposite to the water discharge surface 2B. In this case, the transmission unit 20A transmits an infrared signal in the direction of water discharge, and the transmission unit 20B transmits an infrared signal in a direction substantially opposite to this. By arranging the transmission units 20A and 20B in this way, there is a high possibility that an infrared signal is transmitted directly from either the transmission unit 20A or the transmission unit 20B toward the reception window 44. In addition, the possibility that the infrared signal is guided to the reception window 44 by reducing the number of reflections increases. That is, the number of times that the infrared signal is reflected on the floor surface, ceiling surface, wall surface, etc. of the bathroom can be reduced. For example, without using “twice reflection” such as reflecting on the floor surface and then reflecting on the ceiling surface to guide the infrared signal in the direction of the receiving window 44, “single reflection on the floor surface or ceiling surface” is used. Can be used. Thereby, the infrared signal can reach the receiving unit 40 satisfactorily. In other words, the receiving part 40 can receive an infrared signal satisfactorily.

  Further, as shown in FIGS. 4C and 4D, the transmission unit 20A can be provided at the distal end 2C of the head unit 2, and the transmission unit 20B can be provided in the vicinity of the gripping unit 2A. In this case, the transmitter 20A transmits an infrared signal in a direction from the grip 2A toward the tip 2C, and the transmitter 20B transmits an infrared signal in a direction substantially opposite thereto. By arranging the transmitting units 20A and 20B in this way, the receiving unit 40 can receive infrared signals satisfactorily as in the example according to FIGS. 4A and 4B.

Next, FIG. 5 is a schematic plan view illustrating the operation unit 21.
As illustrated in FIG. 5A, the operation unit 21 can include a “cut” button 21 </ b> A and a flow adjustment button 21 </ b> B. The flow adjustment button 21B is a multi-stage type, and the flow rate increases stepwise each time the user presses the flow adjustment button 21B, and further decreases when the user presses the flow adjustment button 21B. Further, when the “OFF” switch 21A is pressed, water discharge is stopped.

  Alternatively, as illustrated in FIG. 5B, the operation unit 21 may include a “OFF” switch 21 </ b> A, a flow rate up button 21 </ b> C, and a flow rate down button 21 </ b> D. In this case, when the user presses the flow up button 21C, the flow rate increases stepwise, and when the user presses the flow down button 21D, the flow rate decreases stepwise. The “OFF” button 21A is as described above.

  Three or more transmission units 20 may be provided, and each transmission unit 20 may be configured to transmit infrared signals in different directions. This further improves the reception performance.

A power supply unit (not shown) that supplies electricity to the operation unit 21 or the transmission unit 20 may be provided in the vicinity of the head unit 2 or the head unit 2. Examples of the power source include a battery and a generator. Examples of the generator include a generator that has a water wheel and generates electricity by rotating the water wheel with a water flow. In this case, the generator can be provided in a water channel, for example, a water supply channel in the grip portion 2A. The power supply unit may further include a capacitor such as a capacitor for storing electricity generated by the generator. By providing the capacitor, even when there is no water flow and the generator cannot generate electricity, various operations such as water discharge can be performed using the electricity of the capacitor. Note that power saving can be achieved by adopting a configuration in which power is supplied only when the user presses the button of the operation unit 21.

  FIG. 6 is a schematic view illustrating the casing 4 and the counter 10 and the internal configuration thereof.

    As shown in FIG. 6, the counter 10 may be provided with an operation unit 41 related to spout water and flow rate adjustment. The operation unit 41 can include an “off” button 41A, a flow rate up button 41C, and a flow rate down button 41D, for example, similar to the operation unit 21 of the head unit 2 described above with reference to FIG. It is connected to the control unit 5. The user inputs instruction information such as spout water from the operation unit 41, and then the instruction information is transmitted to the control unit 5. Then, the control unit 5 controls the operation of the valve unit 6 based on the instruction information. As described above, by providing the operation unit also in the counter 10, the user can perform operations related to the water discharge and the water discharge flow rate from both the operation unit 21 of the head unit 2 and the operation unit 41 of the counter 10. it can.

  Moreover, as shown in FIG. 6, the power supply part 8 which supplies electricity to the operation part 41, the control part 5, the valve part 6, etc. can be provided. The power supply unit 8 includes, for example, a battery, a generator, and the like, and a capacitor (a capacitor or the like) as necessary, as with the power supply unit of the head unit 2 described above. Alternatively, a configuration using a commercial power supply (AC power supply) may be used.

  As shown in FIG. 6, the casing 4 can store the control unit 5, the valve unit 6, and / or the power supply unit 8. As described above, the casing 4 is configured to store the control unit 5 and the like, so that the wiring connecting the receiving unit 40 and the control unit 5 and the wiring connecting the control unit 5 and the valve unit 6 are not exposed to the outside. Can be. For this reason, the junction part between members can be reduced in the casing 4, and possibility that water will approach into the casing 4 inside can be reduced. Thereby, the contamination of the component in the casing 4, wiring, etc. can be suppressed.

  As shown in FIG. 6, in this specific example, the valve unit 6 includes three electromagnetic valves 6A, 6B, and 6C. The number of installed solenoid valves is not limited to three, and may be two or less, or four or more. However, for convenience of explanation, in the present embodiment, a case where three electromagnetic valves are installed will be described as an example.

  In a state where the solenoid valves 6A, 6B, 6C are closed, for example, when the user presses the flow control button 21B shown in FIG. 5A, the transmission unit 20 has an infrared signal that means “increase the flow rate”. To send. When the receiving unit 40 receives this infrared signal, the control unit 5 opens the electromagnetic valve 6A. Thereby, for example, water having a water discharge flow rate (weak flow rate) of about 6 liters / minute is discharged from the head unit 2.

  Subsequently, when the user presses the flow adjustment button 21B again, the control unit 5 opens the electromagnetic valve 6B in the same manner as when the electromagnetic valve 6A is opened. Thus, the electromagnetic valves 6A and 6B are opened, and water having a water discharge flow rate (medium flow rate) of about 8 liters / minute is discharged from the head unit 2, for example. Subsequently, when the user presses the flow adjustment button 21B again, the control unit 5 opens the electromagnetic valve 6C in the same manner as when the electromagnetic valves 6A and 6B are opened. Accordingly, the electromagnetic valves 6A, 6B, and 6C are opened, and water having a water discharge flow rate (strong flow rate) of about 10 liters / minute is discharged from the head unit 2, for example.

  Subsequently, when the user presses the flow adjustment button 21B again, the control unit 5 closes the electromagnetic valve 6C. As a result, the electromagnetic valves 6 </ b> A and 6 </ b> B are opened, and “medium flow” water is discharged from the head unit 2. Hereinafter, every time the user presses the flow adjustment button 21B, the “weak flow”, “medium flow”, and “strong flow” are switched so as to reciprocate sequentially.

  And warm water is sent to the hose part 3 and further the head part 2 from the valve part 6, and is discharged as shower water etc. (refer FIG. 1).

  FIG. 7 is a schematic perspective view illustrating a situation in which the water discharge device 1 is disposed in the bathroom when the casing 4 is disposed in the bathroom. By disposing the casing 4 in the bathroom, it is not necessary to consider the length restriction on the depth in the wall behind the bathroom wall, and the construction becomes easy.

  In FIG. 7, cold water and hot water supplied from a water supply path and a hot water supply path (not shown) are converted into hot water having a predetermined temperature by a mixing thermo 9 (a device that generates hot water having a predetermined temperature by mixing cold water and hot water). This warm water is sent to the valve unit 6 (solenoid valves 6A, 6B, 6C), whereby water can be discharged from the head unit 2 at a desired water temperature.

  FIG. 8 is a schematic perspective view illustrating a situation in which a plurality of reception windows 44A and 44B are provided. When one or a plurality of reception windows 44 are provided, the number of paths through which the infrared signal reaches the reception unit 40 increases, so that reception performance is improved. Further, if the single or plural reception windows 44 (reception windows 44A and / or 44B) are inclined by about 20 to 80 degrees, more preferably about 30 to 60 degrees with respect to the horizontal direction, the infrared signal is transmitted to the ceiling surface or floor surface. Since the light can enter the receiving window 44 from any direction such as a wall surface, the receiving unit 40 can receive the infrared signal satisfactorily.

  Also, as shown in FIG. 8, receiving units 40A and 40B are provided inside the receiving windows 44A and 44B, respectively. The receiving units 40A and 40B can have receiving elements such as photodiodes that sense infrared rays. The receiving units 40A and 40B receive infrared signals that have passed through the receiving windows 44A and 44B, respectively. Infrared signals received by the receivers 40 </ b> A and 40 </ b> B are transmitted to the controller 5. The control unit 5 controls the valve unit 6 based on the received infrared signal. Thereby, the water discharge and the water discharge flow rate are controlled.

  FIG. 9 is a schematic perspective view illustrating a state in which the water discharge device 1 is disposed in the bathroom when the casing 4 is disposed in the counter 10. By arranging the casing 4 in the casing 10, it becomes an integrated and clean structure, so that it is possible to suppress the adhesion of dirt to the casing 4 and its surroundings, and water from the joints of the constituent members. Ingress can be suppressed.

As shown in FIGS. 10A, 10 </ b> B, and 10 </ b> C, the casing 4 is provided with a receiving window 44. The reception window 44 is made of, for example, a material containing a material that blocks visible light, and can selectively transmit infrared rays.
Further, the surface of the reception window 44 may have a water repellency function. Here, the water repellency is the angle (contact angle) formed by the tangent to the surface of the water droplet and the surface of the receiving window 44 at the position where the water droplet and the receiving window 44 are in contact with each other when the water droplet is attached to the receiving window 44. The big one. For example, the contact angle may be about 100 degrees. Specifically, for example, the surface of the reception window 44 can be provided with a water-repellent function by coating the surface of the reception window 44 with a silicon-based or fluorine-based transparent coating agent.

  In FIG. 10A, the reception window 44 is provided perpendicularly to the horizontal direction on the front surface of the counter, so that it is possible to suppress the occurrence of water scale in the reception window 44 as described above. For this reason, it is possible to suppress the reception failure of the infrared signal due to the water scale, and the reception performance is appropriately ensured.

  In FIG. 10B, the front face of the counter is inclined, and the reception window 44 is provided on the front face of the counter so as to be inclined with respect to the horizontal direction. Can be suppressed. For this reason, it is possible to suppress the reception failure of the infrared signal due to the water scale, and the reception performance is appropriately ensured.

  In FIG. 10C, a receiving window 44 is provided on the lower surface of the counter below the horizontal direction, so that water and hot water splashes from above, detergent for washing the body, etc. are received on the receiving window 44. Therefore, it is possible to suppress the occurrence of scale. For this reason, it is possible to suppress the reception failure of the infrared signal due to the water scale, and the reception performance is appropriately ensured.

  As described above, according to the present embodiment, a water discharging device that is excellent in the receivability of infrared remote control signals and thus excellent in operability is provided. Thereby, the user can smoothly perform various operations such as spout water and flow rate adjustment while using a hand shower or the like. The present embodiment can be suitably used for a shower device in a bathroom, a water discharge device installed in a kitchen counter, or the like.

The embodiments of the present invention have been described above with reference to specific examples. However, the present invention is not limited to these specific examples. In other words, those specific examples that have been appropriately modified by those skilled in the art are also included in the scope of the present invention as long as they have the characteristics of the present invention. Each element included in each of the specific examples described above and their arrangement, material, condition, shape, size, and the like are not limited to those illustrated, and can be appropriately changed.
Moreover, each element with which each embodiment mentioned above is provided can be combined as long as technically possible, and the combination of these is also included in the scope of the present invention as long as it includes the features of the present invention.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Water discharging apparatus, 2 head part, 2A holding part, 2B water discharging surface, 2C tip part, 3 hose part, 4 casing, 5 control part, 6 valve part, 6A, 6B, 6C solenoid valve, 7 faucet part, 8 power supply Part, 9 mixing thermo, 10 counter, 20, 20A, 20B transmission part, 21 operation part, 21A “off” button, 21B flow adjustment button, 21C flow up button, 21D flow down button, 40, 40A, 40B receiving part, 41 operation unit, 41A “off” button, 41C flow up button, 41D flow down button, 44, 44A, 44B reception window, 100 bathroom, 101 floor surface, 102 wall surface, 103 ceiling surface, 104 bathtub, 105 illumination light, 106 Mirror, A Infrared signal

Claims (5)

A head unit having a transmission unit for discharging water and transmitting infrared signals;
A receiving window through which the infrared signal can be transmitted;
Storing a receiving unit for receiving the infrared signal transmitted through the receiving window;
A counter which has a horizontal surface and can place objects on the horizontal surface;
A valve unit for adjusting the amount of water supplied to the head unit;
A control unit for controlling the operation of the valve unit based on information of the infrared signal received by the receiving unit;
A hose part for supplying the water from the valve part to the head part;
With
The water discharge device, wherein the reception window is disposed on a front surface or a lower surface of the counter.   The water discharge device according to claim 1, wherein the counter has a plurality of the reception windows.   The water discharge apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the counter stores the valve unit.   The water discharge device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the reception window has a hydrophilic surface.   The water discharge device according to claim 1, wherein the reception window has water repellency on a surface thereof.

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