JP2018184769A - Hot and cold water mixing faucet - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a faucet with a click mechanism with various advantages.SOLUTION: A click engagement portion of a hot and cold water mixing faucet 10 has a click abutment surface k1 including a nonplanar portion, a click member V1 having a first end portion Vt1 and a second end portion Vt2 and being rotatably supported, and a click biasing member E1 for biasing the click member V1 so that the first end portion Vt1 of the click member V1 faces the click contact surface k1. The first end portion Vt1 has an engagement abutment portion kt1. Click engagement is achieved between the click abutment surface k1 and the engagement abutment portion kt1 of the click member V1.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 5

Description

  The present invention relates to a hot and cold water mixing tap.

  There is known a faucet capable of adjusting a discharge amount and a mixing ratio of hot and cold water by operating a handle. In the single lever type hot and cold water mixing tap, it is possible to switch between hot water and water and adjust the mixing ratio by turning the handle left and right (turning), and to adjust the discharge amount by turning the handle back and forth. Such a hot and cold water mixing tap has a temperature adjustment mechanism that can adjust the water discharge temperature by turning the handle left and right, and a discharge amount adjustment mechanism that can adjust the discharge amount by turning the handle back and forth.

  Japanese Patent No. 5826960 discloses a water valve cartridge provided with a left-right click type step operation means. Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2777792 discloses a click mechanism that engages a plurality of concave portions formed on the side of the lever body with convex portions formed on a leaf spring.

Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 5826960 Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2777792

  A click feeling is generated by the appearance of the click mechanism. This feeling of clicking can give various information to the user. The click feeling enhances the convenience of the hot and cold water mixing tap.

  The present inventor has intensively studied a more improved click mechanism. As a result, the inventors have found a click mechanism that can have characteristics superior to those of conventional ones in various aspects.

  An object of the present invention is to provide a faucet equipped with a click mechanism having various advantages.

  A preferred hot and cold water mixing tap includes a handle that can be turned left and right and turned back and forth, and a valve assembly. The valve assembly is connected to the handle and can be turned left and right and back and forth together with the handle, a temperature adjusting mechanism capable of adjusting the water discharge temperature by the left and right turn, and the back and forth turn. A discharge amount adjusting mechanism capable of adjusting a discharge amount, a click engagement portion provided in a portion where relative movement can occur in association with the left-right rotation or the front-rear rotation of the lever shaft, and the click engagement portion And an adjacent part. The click engagement portion includes a click contact surface including a non-planar portion, a click member having a first end portion and a second end portion and rotatably supported, and the first end portion of the click member. And a click urging member that urges the click member so as to face the click contact surface. The first end portion has an engagement contact portion. Click engagement is achieved between the click contact surface and the engagement contact portion of the click member.

  Preferably, the click member is exposed in the valve assembly.

  Preferably, the click biasing member is a torsion spring having a proximal end and a working end. Preferably, the action end biases the first end portion of the click member.

  Preferably, the left and right positions of the handle include a click engagement region where the click engagement occurs when the handle rotates back and forth, and a click non-engagement region where the click engagement does not occur when the handle rotates back and forth. Have.

  Preferably, the left and right positions of the handle include a water region from which water is discharged, a hot water mixed region from which mixed water of hot water and water is discharged, and a hot water region from which hot water is discharged. Preferably, the entire water region is the click non-engagement region. Preferably, at least a part of the hot and cold water mixing area and the hot water area is the click engagement area.

  Preferably, the left and right positions of the handle include a restriction region in which rotation of the click member is restricted by the second end portion of the click member coming into contact with the adjacent portion, and the second end of the click member. And a restriction release region in which the portion does not contact the adjacent portion. Preferably, the entire click engagement area is the restriction release area. Preferably, at least a part of the click non-engagement region is the restriction region.

  Preferably, the left and right positions of the handle are a spring contact area where a base end of the torsion spring is in contact with the adjacent portion, and a spring non-contact where the base end of the torsion spring is not in contact with the adjacent portion. And have a region. Preferably, the entire click engagement area is the spring contact area. Preferably, at least a part of the click non-engagement region is the spring non-contact region.

  Preferably, at least a part of the click engagement area is the spring contact area and the restriction release area. Preferably, at least a part of the click non-engagement region is the spring non-contact region and the restriction region.

  Preferably, the click contact surface is provided on the lever shaft.

  A hot and cold water mixing tap having an excellent click mechanism can be obtained.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a hot and cold water mixing tap according to the first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the valve assembly. FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view of the valve assembly. FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the valve assembly with the lever shaft removed. FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the upper part of the valve assembly with the upper case removed. FIG. 6 is a plan view of the click member. FIG. 7A is a side view of the click urging member, and FIG. 7B is a plan view of the click urging member. FIG. 8A is a side view of the click elastic body, and FIG. 8B is a plan view of the click elastic body E2. FIG. 9 is a plan view showing left-right rotation of the handle. FIG. 10 is a plan view of the valve assembly. 10 and the following FIGS. 11 to 14 are plan views of the valve assembly, but these are different from each other in the left-right position of the handle. FIG. 11 is a plan view of the valve assembly. FIG. 12 is a plan view of the valve assembly. FIG. 13 is a plan view of the valve assembly. FIG. 14 is a plan view of the valve assembly. FIG. 15 is an enlarged perspective view showing the vicinity of the click generation surface. FIG. 16 is an enlarged perspective view showing the vicinity of the click generation surface. FIG. 16 shows a movable end that moves in the second direction. FIG. 17 is an enlarged perspective view showing the vicinity of the click generation surface. FIG. 16 shows a movable end that moves in the first direction. FIG. 18 is an enlarged plan view showing the first path of the movable end. FIG. 19 is an enlarged plan view showing the second path of the movable end. FIG. 20 is an enlarged view showing click engagement in the click engagement portion (front-rear click engagement portion). FIG. 21 is a front view of the valve assembly according to the second embodiment. 22 is a side view of the valve assembly of FIG. FIG. 23 is an enlarged view in the circle of FIG. 24 is a cross-sectional view taken along line AA in FIG. FIG. 25 is a cross-sectional view showing the movement of the click member in the second embodiment. FIG. 26 is a cross-sectional view showing the movement of the click member in the second embodiment.

  Hereinafter, the present invention will be described in detail based on preferred embodiments with appropriate reference to the drawings.

  In the present application, the term “vertical direction” is used. Unless otherwise specified, this vertical direction is the axial direction of the upper case described later. In the embodiment described later, the vertical direction coincides with the vertical direction. This vertical direction may not coincide with the vertical direction. In the present application, the term “axial direction” is used. Unless otherwise specified, this “axial direction” is the axial direction of the upper case. In the present application, the term “circumferential direction” is used. Unless otherwise specified, this “circumferential direction” is the circumferential direction of the upper case. In the present application, the term “radial direction” is used. Unless otherwise specified, this “radial direction” is the radial direction of the upper case.

  FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a hot and cold water mixing tap 10 according to the first embodiment of the present invention. The hot and cold water mixing tap 10 includes a main body 12, a handle 14, a discharge part 16, a hot water introduction pipe 18, a water introduction pipe 20 and a discharge pipe 22. The ejection unit 16 has a head 24. The hot and cold water mixing tap 10 is attached to, for example, a sink, a wash basin or the like and used as a faucet appliance.

  In the hot-water mixing tap 10, the water shape can be switched continuously from shower discharge to normal discharge. The head 24 has a switching lever 26 for switching the water shape. In the hot and cold water mixing tap 10, switching between raw water and purified water is possible. The head 24 includes a switching button 28 for switching between raw water and purified water, and a display unit 30 that displays whether the discharged water is raw water or purified water.

  The discharge amount is adjusted by rotating the handle 14 in the vertical direction. In the present embodiment, the discharge amount increases as the handle 14 is moved upward. Conversely, the discharge amount may increase as the handle 14 is moved downward. Moreover, the mixing ratio of hot water and water changes by turning the handle 14 left and right (turning). The water discharge temperature can be adjusted by turning the handle 14 left and right. The left and right positions of the handle 14 have a water region where water is discharged, a hot water mixed region where hot water and water are mixed, and a hot water region where hot water is discharged.

  Note that, as described above, the handle 14 is rotated in the vertical direction, and accordingly, the lever shaft 46 (described later) is rotated in the front-rear direction. For this reason, in the present application, the rotation of the handle 14 in the vertical direction is also referred to as “front-rear rotation”.

  FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the valve assembly 40. The hot and cold water mixing tap 10 has a valve assembly 40 therein. The valve assembly 40 is disposed inside the main body 12. The handle 14 is fixed to a lever shaft (described later). The valve assembly 40 can be handled alone. In the hot-water mixing tap 10, the valve assembly 40 is replaceable.

  FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view of the valve assembly 40. As shown in FIG. 3, the valve assembly 40 includes an upper case 42, a rotating body 44, a lever shaft 46, a shaft body 48, a movable valve body 50, a rectifying network 52, a fixed valve body 54, and a fixed valve body lower member 56. And a fixing ring 58 and a lower case 60.

  The lever shaft 46 is attached to the rotating body 44 so as to be rotatable in the front-rear direction. The shaft body 48 passes through the shaft hole h1 of the rotating body 44 and the shaft hole h2 of the lever shaft 46. The lever shaft 46 can rotate back and forth around the shaft body 48. As the handle 14 rotates back and forth, the lever shaft 46 fixed to the handle 14 rotates back and forth. On the other hand, the rotating body 44 is rotated by the left-right rotation of the lever shaft 46. The lever shaft 46 also rotates left and right as the handle 14 rotates left and right.

  The valve assembly 40 has various O-rings 62. These O-rings 62 improve water tightness and prevent water leakage.

  The valve assembly 40 has a low friction seat 64. The low friction sheet 64 is provided between the upper case 42 and the rotating body 44 and contributes to suppression of the friction coefficient. The low friction sheet 64 contributes to the smooth rotation of the rotating body 44.

  The upper case 42 has an upper part 42a and a lower part 42b. The upper part 42a is cylindrical. The lower part 42b is cylindrical. The diameter of the outer peripheral surface of the upper part 42a is smaller than the diameter of the outer peripheral surface of the lower part 42b. The upper side of the upper part 42a is open.

  The movable valve body 50 includes an upper member 50a and a movable valve body main body 50b. The upper member 50a is fixed to the movable valve body 50b. In the present embodiment, the upper member 50a and the movable valve body 50b are separate members. In this case, an optimum material and manufacturing method can be selected for each of the upper member 50a and the movable valve body 50b. Of course, the movable valve body 50 may be integrally formed as a whole.

  The movable valve body 50 has a flow path forming recess (not shown). The flow path forming recess is provided on the lower surface of the movable valve body 50b. A rectifying network 52 is fitted into the flow path forming recess. The outer shape of the rectifying network 52 corresponds to the shape of the flow path forming recess. The rectifying network 52 regulates the flow of water in the flow path forming recess and suppresses the generation of abnormal noise.

  A lever engaging recess 53 that engages with the lower end 46a of the lever shaft 46 is provided on the upper surface of the upper member 50a. The lower end 46 a of the lever shaft 46 is inserted into the lever engaging recess 53. In conjunction with the movement of the lever shaft 46, the movable valve body 50 slides on the fixed valve body 54. The discharge amount and the mixing ratio of hot water and water are determined based on the relative positional relationship between the flow path forming recess of the movable valve body 50 and the fixed valve body 54.

  Note that the engagement between the lever shaft 46 and the lever engagement recess 53 may be direct or indirect. For example, another member may be interposed between the lever shaft 46 and the lever engaging recess 53.

  The fixed valve body 54 has a hot water valve hole 54a, a water valve hole 54b, and a discharge hole 54c. When the flow path forming recess and the hot water valve hole 54a overlap, hot water flows from the hot water valve hole 54a into the flow path forming recess. When the flow path forming recess and the water valve hole 54b overlap, water flows into the flow path forming recess from the water valve hole 54b. Hot water, water, or a mixed fluid thereof is discharged from the discharge hole 54c.

  The fixed valve body lower member 56 is fixed to the fixed valve body 54. This fixing is achieved by a fixing ring 58. The fixed valve body 54 has protrusions ts1 at a plurality of locations (three locations) in the circumferential direction. The fixed valve body 56 has protrusions ts2 at a plurality of locations (three locations) in the circumferential direction. The fixing ring 58 has holding portions ts3 at a plurality of locations (three locations) in the circumferential direction. A slide recess r3 is provided on the inner peripheral surface of the holding part ts3. The projecting part ts1 and the projecting part ts2 that are stacked one above the other are slid into the slide recess r3 of the holding part ts3. As a result, the protrusion ts1 and the protrusion ts2 are held in the slide recess r3, and the protrusion ts1 is fixed to the protrusion ts2. In this fixed state, the phases of the protruding portion ts1, the protruding portion ts2, and the holding portion ts3 are in agreement.

  In order to perform the slide insertion, first, an overlapping body in which the phases of the projecting part ts1 and the projecting part ts2 are made to coincide and the fixed valve body 54 and the fixed valve body lower member 56 are overlapped is created. In this overlapping body, an overlapping protruding portion in which the protruding portion ts1 and the protruding portion ts2 overlap is formed. Next, the fixing ring 58 is placed on the overlapping body so that the holding portion ts3 is positioned between the overlapping protruding portions. Finally, the fixing ring 58 is rotated relative to the overlap. By this relative rotation, the overlapping protrusions (protrusion part ts1 and protrusion part ts2) are slid into the slide recess r3.

  The valve assembly 40 has a push-up spring 66. The push-up spring 66 is disposed between the lower case 60 and the fixed valve body lower member 56. The push-up spring 66 biases the fixed valve body lower member 56 upward. That is, the push-up spring 66 urges the fixed valve body 54 upward. The push-up spring 66 increases the contact pressure between the movable valve body 50 and the fixed valve body 54. The push-up spring 66 suppresses water leakage from the contact surface between the movable valve body 50 and the fixed valve body 54.

  The fixed valve body lower member 56 includes a hot water inlet 56a, a water inlet 56b, and a discharge outlet 56c. The lower case 60 has a hot water inlet 60a, a water inlet 60b, and a discharge outlet 60c. The hot water reaches the hot water valve hole 54a of the fixed valve body 54 via the hot water inlet 60a and the hot water inlet 56a. Water reaches the water valve hole 54b of the fixed valve body 54 via the water inlet 60b and the water inlet 56b. The fluid from the flow path forming recess reaches the discharge port 60c via the discharge hole 54c and the discharge port 56c. The hot water inlet pipe 18 is connected to the hot water inlet 60a. The water introduction pipe 20 is connected to the water introduction port 60b. The discharge pipe 22 is connected to the discharge port 60c.

  As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the valve assembly 40 includes a click member V1. The click member V1 is rotatably attached to the rotating body 44.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the valve assembly 40 includes a click elastic body E2. In the present embodiment, the click elastic body E2 is a torsion spring (torsion coil spring). The click elastic body E2 generates a click feeling when it hits the mating surface (click guide surface described later).

  As shown in FIG. 3, the valve assembly 40 includes a click biasing member E1. The click biasing member E1 biases the click member V1 in the direction in which the click engagement occurs.

  As shown in FIG. 3, a plate 70 is attached to the valve assembly 40. The plate 70 engages with an uneven surface 42 c formed on the upper surface of the upper case 42, and also engages with an opposing surface (not shown) facing the uneven surface 42 c on the inner surface of the faucet body 12. Plate 70 prevents rotation of valve assembly 40 relative to body 12.

  FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the valve assembly 40. However, in view of ease of viewing, the lever shaft 46 is removed in FIG. FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the upper portion of the valve assembly 40. However, in consideration of ease of viewing, the upper case 42 is removed in FIG.

  As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the rotating body 44 has a rotation axis R1. The rotation axis R1 is a protrusion extending in the vertical direction. The rotation axis R1 is fixed to the rotating body 44. The click member V1 is rotatably fixed to the rotation axis R1. The click member V1 rotates along a plane perpendicular to the vertical direction. The click member V1 rotates along the horizontal plane.

  As shown in FIG. 5, the lever shaft 46 has a click contact surface k1. The click contact surface k <b> 1 is provided on the side surface of the lever shaft 46. The click contact surface k1 has a plurality of recesses rs1. A non-planar portion is formed by these concave portions rs1. This non-planar part is an uneven surface.

  FIG. 6 is a plan view of the click member V1. The click member V1 has a shaft hole Vh, a first end Vt1, a second end Vt2, and a bias receiving portion Vf. The first end Vt1 is a part of the click member V1 and is a part on one side of the shaft hole Vh. The second end Vt2 is a part of the click member V1, and is the other side of the shaft hole Vh. The shaft hole Vh is located at the boundary between the first end Vt1 and the second end Vt2.

  The first end portion Vt1 has an engagement contact portion kt1. The engagement contact portion kt1 has a shape that can enter the recess rs1. The engagement contact part kt1 has a shape with a sharp tip. Click engagement is achieved by the engagement contact portion kt1 entering the recess rs1.

  The second end portion Vt2 has a rear end contact portion kt2. The rear end contact portion kt2 is a corner portion formed at the second end portion Vt2. The rear end contact part kt2 is in a position where it can contact the inner surface 42d of the upper part 42a.

  The bias receiving portion Vf has a recess formed on the side surface of the click member V1. The end portion (working end) of the click urging member E1 is in contact with the urging receiving portion Vf (see FIG. 5). The bias receiving portion Vf is provided on the opposite side of the engagement contact portion kt1.

  The shaft hole Vh is a through hole. The shaft hole Vh is a long hole. The shaft hole Vh may be a circular hole, for example.

  FIG. 7A is a side view of the click biasing member E1. FIG. 7B is a plan view of the click biasing member E1. The click urging member E1 has a winding part E10, a first arm E11, and a second arm E12. The first arm E11 has a proximal end Et11. The second arm E12 has a working end Et12. 7A and 7B show the click urging member E1 in a natural state (a state where no force is applied).

  FIG. 8A is a side view of the click elastic body E2. FIG. 8B is a plan view of the click elastic body E2. The click elastic body E2 has a winding part E20, a first arm E21, and a second arm E22. The first arm E21 has a base end Et21. The second arm E22 has a working end Et22. 8A and 8B show the click elastic body E2 in a natural state (a state where no force is applied).

  As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the rotating body 44 has a first support portion S <b> 1. The first support portion S1 is a protrusion that extends in the vertical direction. The click urging member E1 is supported by the first support portion S1. The winding part E10 of the click urging member E1 is supported by the first support part S1. As FIG. 5 shows well, the first support portion S1 is inserted inside the winding portion E10.

  As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the base end Et <b> 11 of the click urging member E <b> 1 is in a position where it can contact the inner surface 42 d of the upper portion 42 a of the upper case 42.

  The action end Et22 of the click urging member E1 is in contact with the urging receiving portion Vf of the click member V1 (see FIGS. 4 and 5).

  As shown in FIG. 7B, the base end Et11 is bent. The outer portion of this bend is also referred to as a bent outer portion Ct11. The bent outer portion Ct11 can abut on the inner surface 42d. By setting the contact portion as the bent outer portion Ct11, the sliding resistance at the contact is suppressed, and stable contact is possible.

  As shown in FIG. 7A, the working end Et12 is bent. By this bending, the distal end portion of the working end Et12 is oriented so as to easily press the urging receiving portion Vf. Specifically, the tip of the working end Et12 is oriented in the vertical direction (see FIGS. 4 and 5).

  As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the rotating body 44 has a second support S <b> 2. The second support portion S2 is a protrusion that extends in the vertical direction. The click elastic body E2 is supported by the second support portion S2. More specifically, the second support portion S2 is inserted through the winding portion E20 of the click elastic body E2. As a result, the winding part E20 of the click elastic body E2 is supported by the second support part S2.

  As can be understood from FIG. 4, the base end Et <b> 21 of the click elastic body E <b> 2 is in contact with the lever shaft 46 (side surface thereof). The lever shaft 46 has a side surface on which the click contact surface k1 is provided and a side surface on the opposite side, but the proximal end Et21 is in contact with the opposite side surface.

  As shown in FIG. 4, the working end Et22 of the click elastic body E2 is in contact with the inner surface 42d of the upper portion 42a.

  As shown in FIG. 8B, the base end Et21 is bent. The outer portion of this bend is also referred to as a bent outer portion Ct21. The bent outer portion Ct21 is in contact with the side surface of the lever shaft 46. By setting the contact portion as the bent outer portion Ct21, sliding resistance in contact is suppressed, and stable contact is possible.

  As shown in FIGS. 8A and 8B, the working end Et22 is bent. The outer portion of this bend is also referred to as a bent outer portion Ct22. The bent outer portion Ct22 is in contact with the inner surface 42d of the upper portion 42a. By setting the contact portion as the bent outer portion Ct22, sliding resistance in contact is suppressed, and stable contact is possible.

  FIG. 9 is a view for explaining the left and right positions of the handle 14. The left-right position of the handle is the rotation angle of the handle 14 in plan view. When the left and right position of the handle 14 is on the front surface FT, the left and right position of the handle 14 is 0 degree. When the left and right position of the handle 14 is at the angle θ1 from the front surface FT to the hot water side, the left and right position of the handle 14 is referred to as “hot water side θ1 degree”. When the left-right position of the handle 14 is at the angle θ2 from the front FT to the water side, the left-right position of the handle 14 is referred to as “water-side θ2 degrees”.

  FIG. 10 is a plan view of the valve assembly 40 when the left and right positions of the handle 14 are 30 degrees on the water side. FIG. 11 is a plan view of the valve assembly 40 when the left and right positions of the handle 14 are 10 degrees on the water side. FIG. 12 is a plan view of the valve assembly 40 when the left and right positions of the handle 14 are the front (0 degree). FIG. 13 is a plan view of the valve assembly 40 when the left and right positions of the handle 14 are 10 degrees on the hot water side. FIG. 14 is a plan view of the valve assembly 40 when the left-right position of the handle 14 is 30 degrees on the hot water side.

  However, FIG. 12 shows a state where the movable end KD is moving in the hot water side direction D1.

  In the present application, the left-right position of the handle 14 is also referred to as the handle left-right position. The front-rear position of the handle 14 is also referred to as the handle front-rear position. In addition, the handle left-right position and the handle front-rear position are collectively referred to as a handle position.

  As described above, when the handle 14 is rotated left and right, the rotating body 44 rotates together with the handle 14. Accordingly, the click member V1, the click biasing member E1, and the click elastic body E2 attached to the rotating body 44 also rotate. On the other hand, even if the lever shaft 46 is rotated left and right, the upper case 42 does not rotate. Therefore, relative movement occurs between the base end Et11 of the click urging member E1 and the inner surface 42d of the upper case 42. Further, a relative movement occurs between the action end Et22 of the click elastic body E2 and the inner surface 42d of the upper portion 42a. In addition, relative movement occurs between the second end Vt2 (rear end contact portion kt2) and the inner surface 42d. A click mechanism can be configured using these relative movements. Moreover, it is possible to switch whether or not the click mechanism is developed using these relative movements.

  When the handle 14 is rotated back and forth, the lever shaft 46 is rotated back and forth. Accordingly, the click contact surface k1 (see FIG. 5) of the lever shaft 46 moves relative to the engagement contact portion kt1 of the click member V1. A click mechanism is configured using this relative movement.

  The valve assembly 40 has two click engagement portions. In order to distinguish these, in the present application, these click engaging portions are also referred to as front and rear click engaging portions and left and right click engaging portions. Click engagement related to the front / rear click engagement portion is also referred to as front / rear click engagement. The click engagement related to the left / right click engagement portion is also referred to as the left / right click engagement.

[Front and back click engagement part]
In the present embodiment, the front / rear click engaging portion generates a click (front / rear click) associated with the forward / backward rotation of the handle 14. The click is detected by a human and is, for example, a sound or a vibration.

  As shown in FIG. 5, the front / rear click engagement portion is configured by a lever shaft 46 and a click member V <b> 1. The front / rear click engagement portion has a click contact surface k1 including a non-planar portion. The click contact surface k1 has a plurality of recesses rs1. The engagement contact portion kt1 of the click member V1 is engaged with the recess rs1. By this engagement, a click mechanism of the front and rear click engagement portion is developed. When the handle 14 is rotated back and forth, the click contact surface k1 moves relative to the engagement contact portion kt1. With this relative movement, the engagement contact portion kt1 sequentially moves to each of the plurality of recesses rs1. In the course of this movement, the engagement and disengagement between the engagement contact portion kt1 and the recess rs1 is repeated. At the moment when this engagement occurs, sound and / or vibration occurs. This sound and / or vibration causes a click (click feeling).

[Switching mechanism]
The front / rear click engaging portion has a switching mechanism for switching whether or not the click mechanism is developed. This switching mechanism involves an adjacent portion adjacent to the front-rear click engaging portion. In the present embodiment, this adjacent portion is the inner surface 42 d of the upper portion 42 a in the upper case 42. In addition, in this application, an adjacent part is a wide concept which means the part which exists in the position which can be concerned with click engagement, and is not limited to a specific part.

  The valve assembly 40 has the two switching mechanisms. In order to distinguish these, hereinafter, they are referred to as a first switching mechanism and a second switching mechanism.

[First switching mechanism]
The first switching mechanism is a mechanism that switches presence / absence of urging by the click urging member E <b> 1 depending on the left / right position of the handle 14. The left and right positions of the handle 14 are the spring contact area where the base end Et11 of the click biasing member E1 is in contact with the inner surface 42d, and the spring non-contact where the base end Et11 of the click biasing member E1 is not in contact with the inner surface 42d. And a contact area.

  10, 11 and 12 show a state where the handle 14 is in the non-spring contact area. On the other hand, FIG. 14 shows a state when the handle 14 is in the spring contact area. FIG. 13 shows a state when the handle 14 is in a transition region between the non-spring contact region and the steady spring contact region. However, in the present application, this transition region is classified as a spring contact region.

  In the non-spring contact region, the base end Et11 is not in contact with the adjacent portion. In the non-spring contact region, the click biasing member E1 is in a natural state. In the non-spring contact area, no spring stress is accumulated in the click biasing member E1, and the click member V1 is not biased. For this reason, the click mechanism does not appear. On the other hand, in the spring contact region, the base end Et11 contacts the inner surface 42d that is the adjacent portion. By this contact, the first arm E11 approaches the second arm E12 side (see FIG. 7B). Due to this contact, spring stress is accumulated in the click urging member E1. In the spring contact region, the action end Et12 presses the click member V1, and the click member V1 is biased in the engaging direction. Therefore, a click mechanism can be developed.

  The non-spring contact area is formed by partially missing the upper part 42a (see FIG. 2). For example, the spring non-contact region can be formed by increasing the inner diameter of the upper portion 42a. The design freedom of the spring contact area and the spring non-contact area is high.

  The click biasing member E1 is not limited to a torsion spring (torsion coil spring). The click biasing member E1 only needs to bias the click member V1. Preferably, the click biasing member E1 is a torsion spring. By using the torsion spring, the first switching mechanism can be easily configured.

  In the spring contact region, there may be a plurality of contact positions between the base end Et11 and the adjacent portion (inner surface 42d). The contact position means a position in a direction in which the stress (torque) accumulated in the click urging member E1 is changed. In the embodiment, the contact position is, for example, a radial position. For example, by changing the radial position of the inner surface 42d of the upper case 42, the contact position can be plural. The biasing force acting on the click member V1 from the click biasing member E1 can be changed by the plurality of contact positions. As a result, the timbre of the click sound can be changed.

[Second switching mechanism]
The second switching mechanism is a mechanism for switching presence / absence of rotation restriction on the click member V <b> 1 depending on the left / right position of the handle 14. The left and right positions of the handle 14 are the click region where the second end Vt2 (rear end contact portion kt2) of the click member V1 is in contact with the adjacent portion (inner surface 42d) and the rotation of the click member V1 is restricted. The second end portion Vt2 (rear end contact portion kt2) of V1 has a restriction release region that is not in contact with the adjacent portion (inner surface 42d).

  10, 11, 12, and 13 show the state when the handle 14 is in the restriction region. On the other hand, FIG. 14 shows a state when the handle 14 is in the restriction release region.

  As described above, the click member V1 is rotatably supported by the rotation axis R1. In the click member V1, when the position of the rear end contact portion kt2 is determined, the position of the engagement contact portion kt1 is also determined. In the restriction region, the position of the rear end contact portion kt2 (click member V1) is restricted to a position where the engagement contact portion kt1 is separated from the click contact surface k1.

  In the restriction release region, the click member V1 can rotate until the engagement contact portion kt1 contacts the click contact surface k1. By the urging by the click urging member E1, the click member V1 rotates until the engagement abutting portion kt1 abuts on the click abutting surface k1. As long as there is urging by the click urging member E1, click engagement appears in the restriction release region.

  The restriction area and the restriction release area can be freely designed depending on the position of the inner surface of the upper part 42a, the presence or absence of the upper part 42a, and the like.

[Click engagement area, click non-engagement area]
The left and right positions of the handle 14 have a click engagement region where front-rear click engagement occurs and a click non-engagement region where front-rear click engagement does not occur.

  In the click engagement region, front and rear click engagement occurs. That is, when the left and right positions of the handle 14 are in the click engagement region, click engagement occurs when the lever shaft 46 is rotated back and forth. On the other hand, front-rear click engagement does not occur in the click non-engagement region. That is, when the left and right positions of the handle 14 are in the click non-engagement region, the click engagement does not occur when the lever shaft 46 rotates back and forth.

  The arrangement of the click engagement area and the click non-engagement area is not limited. In the valve assembly 40, at least a part of the hot / cold water mixing area and the hot water area is a click engagement area. Therefore, when the left and right positions of the handle 14 are at positions where hot water is used, a click mechanism appears when the lever shaft 46 rotates back and forth. Further, in the valve assembly 40, the entire water region is the click non-engagement region. Therefore, when the handle 14 is rotated back and forth, use of hot water can be notified to the user. This configuration suppresses unintended use of hot water and contributes to energy saving. The entire hot water mixing region and hot water region may be a click engagement region.

  The spring contact area of the first switching mechanism contributes to the formation of the click engagement area. As long as it does not overlap with the restriction region, the spring contact region is a click engagement region.

  The non-spring contact area of the first switching mechanism contributes to the formation of the click non-engagement area. The spring non-contact region is a click non-engagement region. Regardless of the state of the second switching mechanism, the spring non-contact region is a click non-engagement region.

  The restriction region of the second switching mechanism contributes to the formation of the click non-engagement region. The restriction area is a click non-engagement area. Regardless of the state of the first switching mechanism, the restriction region is a click non-engagement region.

  The restriction release region of the second switching mechanism contributes to the formation of the click engagement region. Unless it overlaps with the non-spring contact area, the restriction release area is a click engagement area.

[Relationship between first switching mechanism and second switching mechanism]
In each of the handle positions, the first switching mechanism and the second switching mechanism can be freely combined.

From the viewpoint of forming the click non-engagement region, the following configuration 1 can be preferably adopted.
[Configuration 1]: At least a part of the restriction region is a spring non-contact region.

In this configuration 1, the click non-engagement region is more reliably formed in the region where the regulation region and the spring non-contact region overlap. In addition, with this configuration 1, the urging force to the click urging member E1 in the restriction region is suppressed, and the burden on the click member V1 and the click urging member E1 is reduced. From these viewpoints, the following configuration 2 is more preferable.
[Configuration 2]: The entire regulation region is a non-spring contact region.

  When the restriction region is a spring contact region, the burden on the click member V1 is large. In this case, a clockwise force acts on the second end portion Vt2 (rear end contact portion kt2) of the click member V1, and the first end portion Vt1 (bias receiving portion Vf) of the click member V1 counteracts. A clockwise force is applied. Moreover, the urging force of the click urging member E1 is amplified by the click member V1 being in the restricting position. For this reason, forces in opposite directions act on both ends of the click member V1. Therefore, the load on the click member V1 is large. In addition, the load on the click biasing member E1 is large. Furthermore, the load on the rotation shaft R1 that supports the click member V1 is also large. Due to the lever principle, a large load acts on the rotary shaft R1. By making the restriction region a non-spring contact region, these loads can be reduced.

From the viewpoint of forming the click engagement region, the following configuration 3 can be preferably employed.
[Configuration 3]: The entire restriction release region is a spring contact region.

  In the present embodiment, the configuration 2 and the configuration 3 are adopted.

By the restriction release region, the click member V1 can rotate to a position where the engagement contact portion kt1 contacts the click contact surface k1. From this viewpoint, the following configuration 4 is preferable.
[Configuration 4]: The entire click engagement area is the restriction release area.

Even if it is not a restriction region (even if it is a restriction release region), if it is a non-spring contact region, click engagement usually does not occur. However, in the restriction release region, the click member V1 is free to rotate. Therefore, even if there is no urging by the click urging member E1, there is a possibility that the click member V1 rotates for some reason and the engagement contact portion kt1 contacts the click contact surface k1. From the viewpoint of preventing the occurrence of unnecessary click engagement, the following configuration 5 is preferable and configuration 6 is more preferable.
[Configuration 5]: At least a part of the click non-engagement region is a restriction region.
[Configuration 6]: The entire click non-engagement region is the restriction region.

From the viewpoint of reliable click engagement and clear click, it is preferable that the click urging member E1 be biased. From this viewpoint, the following configuration 7 is preferable.
[Configuration 7]: The entire click engagement region is the spring contact region.

Even if it is not in the non-spring contact area (even in the spring contact area), click engagement does not occur if it is in the restriction area. However, in the case of the spring contact area and the restriction area, as described above, a large load is applied to the rotation shaft R1, the click member V1, and the like. From this viewpoint, the following configuration 8 is preferable, and configuration 9 is more preferable.
[Configuration 8]: At least a part of the click non-engagement region is a spring non-contact region.
[Configuration 9]: The entire click non-engagement region is a spring non-contact region.

In order to make the click engagement more reliable, it is preferable to overlap the spring contact area and the restriction release area. From this viewpoint, the following configuration 10 is preferable, and configuration 11 is more preferable.
[Configuration 10]: At least a part of the click engagement region is a spring contact region and a restriction release region.
[Configuration 11]: The entire click engagement area is a spring contact area and a restriction release area.

In order to make click non-engagement more reliable, it is preferable to overlap the non-spring contact area and the restriction area. From this viewpoint, the following configuration 12 is preferable and configuration 13 is more preferable.
[Configuration 12]: At least a part of the click non-engagement region is a spring non-contact region and a restriction region.
[Configuration 13]: The entire click non-engagement region is a spring non-contact region and a restriction region.

When emphasizing the hot water notification function, each area may be set as follows.
-Spring contact area: Area from the hot water side θa degree to the hot water side limit position-Spring non-contact area: All areas including the entire water area other than the spring contact area-Restriction area: Includes the entire water area All areas other than the restriction release area / Regulation release area: Area from the hot water side θb degree to the hot water side limit position / Click engagement area: Area from the hot water side θc degree to the hot water side limit position / Click non-engagement area: All areas except the click engagement area, including the entire water area

  Considering a preferable hot / cold water switching position (the left / right position of the handle at the boundary between the water region and the hot water / mixing region), θa is preferably 0 ° or more and 10 ° or less, θb is preferably 0 ° or more and 10 ° or less, and θc is 0 ° or more. 10 degrees or less is preferable. In the valve assembly 40, θa is 5 degrees, θb is 5 degrees, and θc is 5 degrees.

From the viewpoint of enhancing the function of notifying use of hot water, the following configurations 14 and 15 are preferable, and configuration 16 is more preferable.
[Configuration 14]: The entire water region is a click non-engagement region.
[Configuration 15]: At least a part of the hot / cold water mixing region and the hot water region is a click engagement region.
[Configuration 16]: The whole of the hot and cold water mixing area and the hot water area is a click engagement area.

  As FIG. 5 shows well, on the click contact surface k1, a plurality (four) of recesses rs1 are arranged along the movement direction of the engagement contact portion kt1. Clicks (sounds and vibrations) occur when they exit from one recess rs1 and enter the next recess rs1. In the present embodiment, when the handle 14 is operated from the water stop position to the maximum discharge position, a plurality of (three times) clicks occur. Click occurs at multiple (three) front and rear positions of the handle.

[Left and right click engagement part]
In the present embodiment, the left-right click engaging portion generates a click (left-right click) associated with the left-right rotation of the handle 14.

  The left and right click engaging portion is constituted by a click elastic body E2 and an inner surface 42d of the upper case 42. The inner surface 42d has a click guide surface m1 including a click generation surface m20. As the handle 14 rotates left and right, the action end Et22 (bent outer portion Ct22) of the click elastic body E2 moves (slides) on the click guide surface m1. The click elastic body E2 has a movable end KD that contacts the click guide surface m1. The movable end KD is a second arm E22 including a working end Et22.

  The moving direction of the movable end KD relative to the click guide surface m1 includes a first direction D1 and a second direction D2 that is the opposite direction of the first direction D1.

  In the present embodiment, the moving direction when the handle 14 is rotated from the water side to the hot water side is the first direction D1. For convenience of explanation, the first direction D1 is also referred to as a hot water side direction D1. All the descriptions of the “hot water direction D1” in the present application can be interpreted as “the first direction D1”. In the present embodiment, the moving direction when the handle 14 is rotated from the hot water side to the water side is the second direction D2. For convenience of explanation, the second direction D2 is also referred to as a water side direction D2. All the descriptions of “water side direction D2” in the present application can be interpreted as “second direction D2”.

  As shown in FIGS. 10 to 14, the click guide surface m1 has a trace surface m10 and a click generation surface m20. The trace surface m10 has a circumferential inner surface m11 and a bottom surface m12 whose radius is constant. When the movable end KD moves on the trace surface m10, the click mechanism does not appear. The movable end KD slides on the trace surface m10 without leaving the trace surface m10. In this sliding, the movable end KD is in contact with both the circumferential inner surface m11 and the bottom surface m12. On the other hand, when the movable end KD passes through the click generation surface m20, the click mechanism is developed. When the movable end KD passes through the click generation surface m20, the contact surface of the movable end KD (the bent outer portion Ct22 of the action end Et22) instantaneously leaves the click generation surface m20 and then lands on the click generation surface m20. To do. At the time of landing, the movable end KD hits the click guide surface m1. When the movable end KD hits the click guide surface m1, a click (sound and vibration) is generated.

  The click generation surface m20 is configured such that the movable end KD hits the click generation surface m20 when the movable end KD passes through the click generation surface m20.

  FIG. 15 is an enlarged perspective view showing the vicinity of the click generation surface m20. The click generation surface m20 has a first inclined surface f1. The first inclined surface f1 is inclined so as to go upward as it proceeds in the hot water side direction D1. The lowermost edge of the first inclined surface f1 is smoothly connected to the bottom surface m12. At the upper end portion of the first inclined surface f1, the width of the first inclined surface f1 becomes narrower as it proceeds in the hot water direction D1.

  The click generation surface m20 has a second inclined surface f2. The second inclined surface f2 is inclined so as to go inward (center side of the upper part 42a) as it proceeds in the water side direction D2. The width | variety of the 2nd inclined surface f2 is so narrow that it goes to the water side direction D2. At least a part of the second inclined surface f2 is at the same circumferential position as the first inclined surface f1. At least a part of the upper edge of the second inclined surface f2 is connected to the first inclined surface f1.

  The click generation surface m20 has a third inclined surface f3. The third inclined surface f3 is inclined so as to go inward (center side of the upper part 42a) as it proceeds in the hot water direction D1. At least a part of the third inclined surface f3 is at the same circumferential position as the first inclined surface f1. At least a part of the third inclined surface f3 is at the same circumferential position as the second inclined surface f2. The water side end of the third inclined surface f3 is connected to the trace surface m10.

  The click generation surface m20 has a fourth inclined surface f4. The fourth inclined surface f4 is inclined so as to go outward (outside the upper portion 42a) as it proceeds in the hot water direction D1. The water side end of the fourth inclined surface f4 is connected to the third inclined surface f3. Furthermore, the water-side end of the fourth inclined surface f4 is partially connected to the second inclined surface f2. The end of the fourth inclined surface f4 on the hot water side is connected to the trace surface m10.

  In the present embodiment, a protrusion is formed by the first inclined surface f1 and the second inclined surface f2. The path of the movable end KD when getting over the protrusion is different between the forward path and the return path. Further, the direction of deformation of the movable end KD when getting over this protrusion is different between the forward path and the return path. Details will be described below.

  FIG. 16 shows a state when the movable end KD is moving in the water side direction D2. When entering the click generation surface m20 from the hot water side with respect to the click generation surface m20, the movable end KD slides on the second inclined surface f2. For this reason, the movable end KD bends radially inward due to elastic deformation. When the movable end KD further advances in the water side direction D2, the sliding with the second inclined surface f2 is released. This release causes elastic recovery in the radial direction of the movable end KD, and the movable end KD strikes the click guide surface m1 (circumferential inner surface m11). A click (sound and vibration) is generated by the movable end KD hitting the circumferential inner surface m11. The contact surface of the movable end KD accelerates toward the outer side in the axial direction by the elastic recovery and collides with the upper case 42. When the movable end KD hits the upper case 42, a click (sound and vibration) is generated.

  FIG. 17 shows a state where the movable end KD is moving in the first direction D1. When entering the click generation surface m20 from the water side with respect to the click generation surface m20, the movable end KD slides on the first inclined surface f1. For this reason, the movable end KD is bent upward in the axial direction by elastic deformation. When the movable end KD further advances in the first direction D1, the sliding with the first inclined surface f1 is released. This release causes elastic recovery in the axial direction of the movable end KD, and the movable end KD hits the click guide surface m1 (bottom surface m12). The contact surface of the movable end KD is accelerated downward in the axial direction by the elastic recovery and collides with the upper case 42. When the movable end KD hits the upper case 42, a click (sound and vibration) is generated.

  In this embodiment, in the relative movement in the first direction D1 (the hot water side direction), the movable end is deformed in the first bending direction, and when this deformation is recovered, the movable end KD clicks by hitting the click guide surface m1. Occurs. Further, in the relative movement in the second direction D2 (water side direction), the movable end is deformed in the second bending direction, and when the deformation is recovered, the movable end KD hits the click guide surface m1 to cause a click. As described above, in the present embodiment, the first bending direction is different from the second bending direction. In the present embodiment, the first bending direction is the axial direction, and the second bending direction is the radial direction. The bending in the first bending direction is caused by the click guide surface m1 (bottom surface m12). Further, the bending in the first bending direction is caused by the click generation surface m20 (first inclined surface f1). The click generation surface m20 (first inclined surface f1) increases the bending in the first bending direction. The bending in the second bending direction is caused by the click guide surface m1 (circumferential inner surface m11). Further, the bending in the second bending direction is caused by the click generation surface m20 (second inclined surface f2). The click generation surface m20 (second inclined surface f2) increases the bending in the second bending direction.

  In the present application, two bends that are in the same direction and opposite to each other are interpreted as “the same bend direction”.

  When the bending in the first bending direction recovers elastically, a click occurs in the relative movement in the first direction D1. When the bending in the second bending direction recovers elastically, a click occurs in the relative movement in the second direction D2.

  FIG. 18 is a schematic diagram showing the path of the movable end KD (the contact portion thereof) in the relative movement in the first direction D1 (the hot water side direction). The movable end KD (the contact portion thereof) moving in the first direction D1 rides on the first inclined surface f1 from the trace surface m10 (step st1), climbs the first inclined surface f1 (step st2), and the first inclined surface. The vehicle goes over f1 and falls downward (step st3), and returns to the trace surface m10 (step st4). In step st2, the movable end KD bends in the axial direction. In step st3, the contact of the movable end KD with the first inclined surface f1 is released, and the movable end KD strikes the upper case 42. As a result, left and right clicks occur.

  FIG. 19 is a schematic diagram illustrating a path of the movable end KD (the contact portion thereof) in the relative movement in the second direction D2 (water side direction). The movable end KD (the contact portion thereof) moving in the second direction D2 is guided from the trace surface m10 to the second inclined surface f2 (step ST1) and moved along the second inclined surface f2 (step ST2). It moves over the second inclined surface f2 and moves radially outward (step ST3), and returns to the trace surface m10 (step ST4). In step ST2, the movable end KD bends in the radial direction. In step ST3, the contact of the movable end KD with the second inclined surface f2 is released, and the movable end KD strikes the upper case 42. As a result, left and right clicks occur.

  In the present application, the contact path on the click generation surface m20 of the movable end KD in the relative movement in the first direction D1 (the hot water side direction) is also referred to as a first path. FIG. 18 shows an example of the first route. The first route is a route on the click generation surface m20. In this application, the contact path | route in the click generation surface m20 of the movable end KD in the relative movement of the 2nd direction D2 (water side direction) is also called a 2nd path | route. FIG. 19 shows an example of the second route. The second route is a route on the click generation surface m20. In the present embodiment, the first route is different from the second route. Due to the click generation surface m20, there is a difference between the first route and the second route.

  The path shown in FIGS. 18 and 19 is slightly deviated from the accurate path of the contact surface of the movable end KD (that is, the bent outer portion Ct22). This is for easy understanding of the difference between the first route and the second route.

  As described above, when sliding on the trace surface m10, the movable end KD is in contact with both the circumferential inner surface m11 and the bottom surface m12. In this sliding, the movable end KD is elastically deformed. In this sliding, the movable end KD is elastically deformed in two directions (first bending direction and second bending direction). Due to the elastic recovery force accompanying this elastic deformation, the movable end KD slides stably on the trace surface m10 (without floating from the trace surface m10). As described above, since the elastic recovery force is accumulated in the sliding at the movable end KD, the click generation surface m20 may have a simple shape. For example, the click generation surface m20 may be a step formed in the radial direction and / or the axial direction. Due to the elastic recovery force during sliding, a click can occur even with such a simple step. On the other hand, in this embodiment, the click generation surface m20 having the first inclined surface f1, the second inclined surface f2, the third inclined surface f3, and the fourth inclined surface f4 generates a clearer and more recognizable click. Can be made. When the movable end KD moves in the first direction D1, the movable end KD shifts from the contact at the circumferential inner surface m11 and the bottom surface m12 to the contact at the circumferential inner surface m11 and the first inclined surface f1. Accumulate elastic recovery force in the direction. For this reason, when it falls to the bottom face m12, clear click may arise (refer FIG. 18). If the circumferential inner surface m11 and the movable end KD are in contact with each other during the fall, the drop speed is reduced. For this reason, the movable end KD is bent in the radial direction by the third inclined surface f3 (see FIG. 17) so that the movable end KD does not contact the first inclined surface f11 in the fall. Thus, the 3rd inclined surface f3 has contributed to generation | occurrence | production of clearer click.

  In the present embodiment, the left / right position of the handle when the left / right click occurs is 5 degrees on the hot water side. The left / right position of the handle coincides with the hot / cold water switching position. Of course, the left-right position of the handle when the left-right click occurs can be arbitrarily determined.

  In this embodiment, the click generation surface m20 is provided in one place. In this embodiment, when the handle 14 is operated from the hot water side limit position to the water side limit position, one click occurs. When the handle 14 is operated from the hot water limit position to the water limit position, multiple clicks may occur.

  The hot water side limit position is the left and right position of the handle when the handle 14 is rotated to the limit on the hot water side (left side as viewed from the user in this embodiment). Further, the water side limit position is the left and right position of the handle when the handle 14 is rotated to the limit on the most water side (right side as viewed from the user in this embodiment).

  As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the movable end KD is exposed in the valve assembly 40. Therefore, the vibration of the movable end KD is easily transmitted to the outside. For this reason, compared with the case where movable end KD is covered with other members, a sound and vibration may become large. In particular, sound tends to propagate through air. As a result, a clearer click can be obtained.

  The click elastic body E2 is not limited to a torsion spring (torsion coil spring). For example, an elastic body extending like a rod can be elastically deformed in different directions and can slide along different paths. Similarly, a cantilevered elastic body having a free end is also preferable. This free end functions as a movable end. The proximal end of the torsion spring is an example of a cantilevered elastic body having a free end. The working end of the torsion spring is an example of a cantilevered elastic body having a free end. An example of a preferable click elastic body E2 is a torsion spring. Since the torsion spring has a winding part, it can be easily supported. Further, one end (working end) thereof can be a movable end KD. Furthermore, by bringing the other end (base end) into contact with another member, the vibration of the working end can be efficiently transmitted to the other member.

  As described above, in the valve assembly 40, the base end Et21 of the click elastic body E2 is in contact with the lever shaft 46. For this reason, the vibration of the movable end KD is efficiently transmitted to the lever shaft 46. Since the handle 14 is fixed to the lever shaft 46, the vibration of the lever shaft 46 is efficiently transmitted to the handle 14. As a result, the vibration of the movable end KD is efficiently transmitted to the handle 14, and as a result, efficiently transmitted to the user's hand. Therefore, a clearer click can be obtained.

  The contact of the click elastic body E2 with the lever shaft 46 can suppress the lowering of the handle 14 due to its own weight. The handle 14 may naturally drop (turn back and forth) due to gravity due to its mass. The lowering of the handle 14 causes the discharge amount to change although the user does not intend. The abutment increases (slightly) the resistance in forward and backward rotation, and suppresses the lowering of the handle 14 due to its own weight.

   As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the click member V <b> 1 is exposed in the valve assembly 40. Therefore, the vibration of the click member V1 is easily transmitted to the outside. For this reason, compared with the case where click member V1 is covered with other members, a sound and vibration may become large. In particular, sound tends to propagate through air. As a result, a clearer click can be obtained.

  In the valve assembly 40, the click contact surface k <b> 1 is provided on the lever shaft 46. Therefore, vibration related to the click engagement is generated at the lever shaft 46. Since the handle 14 is fixed to the lever shaft 46, the vibration of the lever shaft 46 is efficiently transmitted to the handle 14. As a result, the vibration generated in the lever shaft 46 is efficiently transmitted to the handle 14 and efficiently transmitted to the user's hand. Therefore, a clearer click can be obtained.

  As described above, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2777792 discloses a click mechanism that engages a plurality of concave portions formed on the side of the lever body with convex portions formed on the leaf spring. In this prior document, the mating member itself that contacts the lever body (lever shaft) is the biasing member. On the other hand, in this embodiment, the other member that contacts the lever shaft 46 is the click member V1, and this click member V1 is biased by the click biasing member E1.

  Compared with the invention described in this prior document, this embodiment has an excellent effect. In the above prior art, when the click is engaged, the force in the bending direction and the compression direction act alternately on the leaf spring, so that work hardening is likely to proceed. For this reason, a lifetime becomes short and it is difficult to obtain a stable click in repeated use over a long period of time. In addition, when the allowable stress is taken into account, a large amount of operation cannot be obtained with the leaf spring. In order to increase the protrusion on the leaf spring, it is necessary to increase the length of the arm of the leaf spring. As a result, it is difficult to reduce the size of the leaf spring.

  On the other hand, in this embodiment, the click member V1 urged in the rotation direction by the click urging member E1 is used. For this reason, at the time of click engagement, since a force acts along the urging direction of the click urging member E1, the burden on the click urging member E1 is small. For this reason, a lifetime becomes long and it is easy to obtain a stable click in repeated use over a long period of time.

  FIG. 20 is an enlarged view showing engagement (front-rear click engagement) between the click member V1 and the click contact surface k1. FIG. 20 shows the maximum engagement state of click engagement. In the present embodiment, the maximum engagement state is when the insertion depth of the engagement contact portion kt1 with respect to the recess rs1 is maximum.

  As shown in FIG. 6, the engagement contact portion kt1 has a first surface kt10 and a second surface kt12. As shown in FIG. 20, the recess rs <b> 1 has a first side rs <b> 10 and a second side rs <b> 12.

  In FIG. 20, a double arrow D3 indicates the moving direction of the engagement contact portion kt1.

  In FIG. 20, a double arrow θx indicates an angle formed by the movement direction D3 and the first surface kt10 in the maximum engagement state. In FIG. 20, a double arrow θy indicates an angle formed by the movement direction D3 and the second surface kt12 in the maximum engagement state. The click sound is preferably uniform and the rotation resistance is preferably equal when the handle 14 is rotated upward and when the handle 14 is rotated downward. From these viewpoints, the angle θx and the angle θy are preferably the same. However, the term “identical” means that a difference of 5% or less is allowed.

In FIG. 20, a double arrow θ10 indicates an angle formed by the first side surface rs10 and the first surface kt10 in the maximum engagement state. In FIG. 20, a double arrow θ12 indicates an angle formed by the second side surface rs12 and the second surface kt12 in the maximum engagement state.
In the reciprocating operation of the handle 14, the click sound is preferably uniform and the rotation resistance is preferably uniform. That is, the click sound is preferably uniform and the rotational resistance is preferably equal when the handle 14 is rotated upward and when the handle 14 is rotated downward. From these viewpoints, the angle θ10 and the angle θ12 are preferably the same. However, the term “identical” means that a difference of 5% or less is allowed.

  In FIG. 20, what is indicated by a two-dot chain line is a contact plane k10 of the click contact surface k1. This contact plane k10 is a plane in contact with the click contact surface k1. By bringing the central axis Z1 of the rotation axis R1 closer to the contact plane k10, the force acting between the engagement contact portion kt1 and the recess rs1 is easily equalized in the reciprocating operation of the handle 14. For this reason, the click sound tends to be homogeneous, and stable click engagement can be obtained. From this viewpoint, the distance between the central axis Z1 and the contact plane k10 is preferably smaller than the depth Dr of the recess rs1. The depth Dr is a distance between the deepest point of the recess rs1 and the contact plane k10. In the present embodiment, the distance between the central axis Z1 and the contact plane k10 is zero. That is, the central axis Z1 is included in the contact plane k10.

  As shown in FIG. 20, the shaft hole Vh of the click member V1 is a long hole. On the other hand, the cross-sectional shape of the rotation axis R1 is a perfect circle. A gap gp is formed between the shaft hole Vh and the rotation shaft R1. In a state where no force is applied to the click member V1 (also referred to as a steady state), the rotation shaft R1 is located at a predetermined position (also referred to as a steady position) within the shaft hole Vh. In the present embodiment, this steady position is the center of the shaft hole Vh. This steady state and the maximum engaged state is referred to as a reference state. In this reference state, the gap gp has a gap gp1 located on one side in the movement direction D3 and a gap gp2 located on the other side in the movement direction D3. Due to the gap gp, the rotation axis R1 can (slightly) move in the shaft hole Vh.

  When the click contact surface k1 is moved, a force acts on the click member V1 that engages with the click contact surface k1. Due to this force, the rotation shaft R1 moves (slightly) in the shaft hole Vh.

  When the click contact surface k1 is moved to one side in the movement direction D3 in the state where the click engagement is formed, the click member V1 also receives a force F1 to the one side in the movement direction D3. With this force F1, the rotation shaft R1 moves in the shaft hole Vh so that the gap gp1 is widened and the gap gp2 is narrowed. At the moment when the engagement contact portion kt1 comes out of the recess rs1, the force F1 is canceled and the rotation shaft R1 returns to the center of the shaft hole Vh. Due to this return, the click member V1 moves (slightly) to the other side in the movement direction D3. Almost simultaneously with this movement, the engagement contact portion kt1 falls into the adjacent recess rs1, and a click occurs. The movement increases the speed at which the recess rs1 falls into the recess rs1, and thus a clearer click (sound and vibration) is obtained.

  When the click contact surface k1 is moved to the other side in the movement direction D3 in the state where the click engagement is formed, the click member V1 also receives a force F2 to the other side in the movement direction D3. By this force F2, the rotation shaft R1 moves in the shaft hole Vh so that the gap gp1 is narrowed and the gap gp2 is widened. At the moment when the engagement contact portion kt1 comes out of the recess rs1, the force F2 is canceled and the rotation shaft R1 returns to the center of the shaft hole Vh. Due to this return, the click member V1 moves (slightly) to one side in the movement direction D3. Almost simultaneously with this movement, the engagement contact portion kt1 falls into the adjacent recess rs1, and a click occurs. The movement increases the speed at which the recess rs1 falls into the recess rs1, and thus a clearer click (sound and vibration) is obtained.

  As described above, the gap gp has an effect of clarifying the click. Further, the gap gp can provide a buffering effect that reduces the peak value of the force acting on the rotation axis R1 during click engagement. This buffer effect can reduce the burden on the rotation axis R1.

From the viewpoint described above, the following configuration 17 is preferable and configuration 18 is more preferable.
[Configuration 17]: A gap gp exists between the shaft hole Vh and the center axis Z1, and the click member V1 (shaft hole Vh) moves with respect to the rotation axis R1 by the force resulting from the click engagement, and the force When is resolved, the rotation shaft R1 returns to the steady position in the shaft hole Vh.
[Configuration 18]: When there is a gap gp between the shaft hole Vh and the central axis Z1, and a force F1 resulting from click engagement acts on one side, the click member V1 (shaft hole Vh) with respect to the rotation shaft R1 When the force F1 is released and the force F1 is eliminated, the rotation shaft R1 returns to the steady position in the shaft hole Vh, and when the force F2 resulting from the click engagement acts on the other side, the click member is applied to the rotation shaft R1. When V1 (shaft hole Vh) moves to the other side and the force F2 is eliminated, the rotation shaft R1 returns to the steady position in the shaft hole Vh.

  In the above embodiment, the maximum value of the gap gp when the rotation axis R1 is at the steady position is 0.6 mm. From the viewpoint of the effects described above, the maximum value of the gap gp when the rotation axis R1 is in the steady position is preferably 0.3 mm or more, more preferably 0.5 mm or more, preferably 0.9 mm or less, and 0.7 mm or less. Is more preferable. The maximum value of the gap gp is the sum of the maximum value of the gap gp1 and the maximum value of the gap gp2.

  In the above embodiment, the front / rear click engaging portion is configured by the lever shaft 46 and the click member V1. This configuration can also be applied to the left-right click engagement portion. For example, a configuration in which the engagement contact portion kt1 of the click member V1 is engaged with the inner surface 42d of the upper case 42 can be employed.

  In the above embodiment, the left and right click engaging portion is constituted by the inner surface 42d of the upper case 42 and the click elastic body E2. This configuration can also be applied to the front-rear click engagement portion. For example, a configuration in which the movable end KD of the click elastic body E2 slides on the side surface of the lever shaft 46 and a click generation surface m20 is provided on the side surface of the lever shaft 46 may be employed.

  FIG. 21 is a front view of the valve assembly 140 according to the second embodiment, and FIG. 22 is a front view of the valve assembly 140. FIG. 23 is an enlarged view in the circle of FIG. 24 is a cross-sectional view taken along line AA in FIG.

  The valve assembly 140 can be used by being incorporated in the hot and cold water mixing tap 10 instead of the valve assembly 40 described above. The difference between the valve assembly 140 and the valve assembly 40 is the click mechanism.

  The valve assembly 140 includes an upper case 142, a rotating body 144, a lever shaft 146, a click member V2, a click biasing member E1, and a click elastic body E2. The click urging member E1 is a torsion spring. The click urging member E1 is shown in FIGS. 7A and 7B, and is the same as that used in the first embodiment. The click elastic body E2 is a torsion spring. The click elastic body E2 is shown in FIGS. 8A and 8B and is the same as that used in the first embodiment.

  Similar to the valve assembly 40 described above, the valve assembly 140 has a front-rear click engagement portion and a left-right click engagement portion.

[Front and back click engagement part]
The front-rear click engaging portion of the valve assembly 140 includes a lever shaft 146, a click urging member E1, and a click member V2. The click member V2 is rotatably supported by the click urging member E1.

  As shown in FIG. 24, the lever shaft 146 has a click contact surface k1. The click contact surface k1 is provided on the side surface of the lever shaft 146. The click contact surface k1 has a plurality of recesses rs1. A non-planar portion is formed by these concave portions rs1. This non-planar part is an uneven surface. In the present embodiment, five recesses rs1 are provided. The number of the recesses rs1 may be one, two, or three or more.

  The click biasing member E1 is fixed to the rotating body 144. The rotating body 144 has a shaft 150 extending upward (see FIG. 23). The shaft 150 is inserted into the winding part E10 of the click biasing member E1. By this insertion, the click urging member E1 is fixed to the rotating body 144.

  As shown in FIG. 23, the click member V2 is a plate-like member having a constant thickness. In a plan view, the click member V2 has a substantially L-shape as a whole (see FIG. 24). The click member V2 has a hole Vh, a first end Vt1, and a second end Vt2. In the present embodiment, the hole Vh is a through hole.

  The action end Et12 of the click urging member E1 is inserted into the hole Vh. By this insertion, the click member V2 is rotatably supported by the action end Et12 of the click urging member E1. The click member V2 can rotate around the working end Et12 (hole Vh). The action end Et12 supports the click member V2 in a rotatable manner.

  The inner diameter of the hole Vh is larger than the outer diameter of the working end Et12. The working end Et12 can move inside the hole Vh. This configuration increases the freedom of movement of the click member V2.

  The first end portion Vt1 has an engagement contact portion kt1. The engagement contact part kt1 has a convex part that can enter the concave part rs1. The engagement contact part kt1 has two convex parts. The number of convex portions may be one, two, or three or more. Click engagement is achieved by the engagement contact portion kt1 entering the recess rs1.

  Unlike the first embodiment described above, in the second embodiment, the second end portion Vt2 of the click member V2 does not come into contact with an adjacent portion (such as the inner surface of the upper case 142). Regardless of the left and right position of the handle, the second end portion Vt2 of the click member V2 does not contact the adjacent portion. Therefore, this 2nd Embodiment does not have a regulation field where rotation of click member V2 is regulated because the 2nd end Vt2 of click member V2 contact | abuts an adjacent part. This 2nd Embodiment may have the said control area | region. For example, the second end Vt2 can be brought into contact with the adjacent portion by further extending the second end side of the click member V2.

  Similar to the first embodiment described above, in this second embodiment, the left and right positions of the handle have a spring contact area and a spring non-contact area. In the non-spring contact region, the base end Et11 is not in contact with the adjacent portion. FIG. 24 is a cross-sectional view when the left and right positions of the handle are in the non-spring contact area. In the non-spring contact region, no spring stress is accumulated in the click biasing member E1, and the click member V2 is not biased. For this reason, the click mechanism does not appear. On the other hand, in the spring contact region, the base end Et11 contacts the adjacent portion (the inner surface 142d of the upper case 142). Due to this contact, spring stress is accumulated in the click urging member E1. In the spring contact region, the action end Et12 presses the click member V2, and the click member V2 is biased in the engagement direction. Therefore, a click mechanism can be developed.

  As shown in FIG. 23, the rotating body 144 has a first facing surface 160 that faces the upper surface of the click member V2, and a second facing surface 162 that faces the lower surface of the click member V2. The first facing surface 160 and the second facing surface 162 are opposed to each other with a gap slightly larger than the thickness of the click member V2. A part of the click member V <b> 2 is inserted between the first facing surface 160 and the second facing surface 162. By the first facing surface 160 and the second facing surface 162, the click member V2 is held in a substantially horizontal posture while being allowed to move and rotate.

  As FIG. 24 shows, the adjacent part (rotating body 144) of the click member V2 has a collision surface 164 on which the click member V2 can collide. As the collision surface 164, a first collision surface 166 and a second collision surface 168 are provided. The first collision surface 166 and the second collision surface 168 are opposed to each other via a gap into which the first end Vt1 of the click member V2 can be inserted. The rotation of the click member V <b> 2 is restricted to a certain range by the collision surface 164.

  As shown in FIG. 24, the click member V <b> 2 has a click collision surface 170 that can collide with the collision surface 164 of the adjacent portion. As the click collision surface 170, a first click collision surface 172 and a second click collision surface 174 are provided. The first click collision surface 172 faces the first collision surface 166. The second click collision surface 174 faces the second collision surface 168.

  The click member V2 is maintained in a substantially horizontal posture by the first facing surface 160 and the second facing surface 162, and the angular range of rotation is restricted by the collision surface 164. Except for these, the working end Et12 is excluded. It is only energized by. Therefore, the click member V2 can rotate and move with a high degree of freedom.

  In the rotation of the click member V2, the action end Et12 becomes the rotation axis. However, the action end Et12 itself can move. The rotation shaft R1 that supports the click member V1 in the first embodiment so as to be rotatable is a fixed shaft, whereas the rotation shaft (working end Et12) that supports the click member V2 in a rotatable manner is a movable shaft. For this reason, the freedom degree of movement of click member V2 is high.

  25 and 26 are diagrams for explaining the occurrence of front and rear clicks. 25 and 26 are all cross-sectional views when the left and right positions of the handle are in the spring contact area. Accordingly, in all the cross-sectional views of FIGS. 25 and 26, the click member V2 is urged in the engagement direction (left direction in the drawing) by the click urging member E1.

  FIG. 25 is a cross-sectional view showing the change over time when the handle is moved in the water stop direction in the front-rear direction. When the handle is moved in the water stop direction, the state changes in the order of (1), (2), (3), and (4) in FIG.

  When the handle is moved in the water stop direction from the state (1), the state shifts to the state (2), and further shifts to the state (3). The lever shaft 146 moves in the direction of the arrow (downward in the drawing), and the uneven engagement between the click contact surface k1 and the engagement contact portion kt1 is released. In this process, the click member V2 moves in the direction opposite to the engagement direction (right direction in the drawing) due to the contact of the projections. In addition, with the movement of the engagement contact portion kt1, the click member V2 rotates in the first rotation direction (counterclockwise in the drawing). When the operation of the handle further proceeds, the protrusion of the engagement contact portion kt1 moves to the adjacent recess on the click contact surface k1, and a new uneven engagement is formed (state (4)). Since the urging force by the click urging member E1 exists, the click member V2 rotates at once in the second rotation direction (clockwise in the drawing) at the moment when this new uneven engagement is formed. At the moment when this new concavo-convex engagement is formed, a back-and-forth click (sound and vibration) occurs. A back-and-forth click occurs when the projection of the engagement contact portion kt1 collides with the recess of the click contact surface k1. In addition, a back-and-forth click occurs due to a collision between the first click collision surface 172 and the first collision surface 166. In the state (4) of FIG. 25, the position where the collision occurs is indicated by a black circle. Since a collision occurs at a plurality of locations, a larger click sound is generated.

  FIG. 26 is a cross-sectional view showing changes over time when the handle is moved in the water discharge direction in the front-rear direction. When the handle is moved in the water discharge direction, the state changes in the order of (5), (6), (7), and (8) in FIG.

  When the handle is moved in the water discharge direction from the state (5), the state shifts to the state (6), and further shifts to the state (7). The lever shaft 146 moves in the direction of the arrow (upward in the drawing), and the uneven engagement between the click contact surface k1 and the engagement contact portion kt1 is released. In this process, the click member V2 moves in the direction opposite to the engagement direction (right direction in the drawing) due to the contact of the protrusions. In addition, with the movement of the engagement contact portion kt1, the click member V2 rotates in the second rotation direction (clockwise in the drawing). When the operation of the handle further proceeds, the protrusion of the engagement contact portion kt1 moves to the adjacent recess on the click contact surface k1, and a new uneven engagement is formed (state (8)). Since the urging force by the click urging member E1 exists, the click member V2 rotates at once in the first rotation direction (counterclockwise in the drawing) at the moment when the new uneven engagement is formed. At the moment when this new concavo-convex engagement is formed, a back-and-forth click (sound and vibration) occurs. A back-and-forth click occurs when the projection of the engagement contact portion kt1 collides with the recess of the click contact surface k1. In addition, a back-and-forth click occurs due to the collision between the second click collision surface 174 and the second collision surface 168. In the state (8) of FIG. 26, the position where the collision occurs is indicated by a black circle. Since a collision occurs at a plurality of locations, a larger click sound is generated.

  The action end Et12 supports the click member V2 in a rotatable manner, so that the click member V2 can move with a high degree of freedom. This movement with a high degree of freedom contributes to increasing the click sound.

  In the first embodiment described above, it is not the click urging member E1 that rotatably supports the click member V1. In the first embodiment, the click biasing member E1 biases the click member V1 in the rotation direction. This rotation direction is a direction in which the first end Vt1 of the click member V1 faces the click contact surface k1. On the other hand, in the second embodiment, it is the click biasing member E1 that rotatably supports the click member V1. In this second embodiment, the click urging member E1 urges the click member V2 in the direction of translation. The urging force of the click urging member E1 does not rotate the click member V2. The rotation of the click member V2 is caused by the relative movement between the click contact surface k1 and the engagement contact portion kt1. However, in any of the embodiments, the click biasing member E1 biases the click member so that the first end Vt1 faces the click contact surface k1.

[Left and right click engagement part]
In the valve assembly 140, two left and right click engagement portions are provided.

  The first left and right click engagement portion is the same as the left and right click engagement portion in the valve assembly 40 of the first embodiment. That is, in the first left and right click engaging portion, the left and right clicks are generated when the movable end KD hits the click guide surface m1 (see FIG. 24).

  Further, the valve assembly 140 is provided with a second left and right click engagement portion.

  The upper case 142 has a click engagement portion 180. The click engagement part 180 is a convex part. The click engagement portion 180 is provided on the upper case 142. The click engagement portion 180 is provided on the inner surface 142d of the upper case 142. The inner surface 142d is a circumferential surface. The click engagement portion 180 does not move regardless of the operation of the handle. The click engagement portion 180 is also referred to as a fixed click engagement portion. The fixed click engaging portion 180 protrudes toward the center of the upper case 142.

  The rotating body 144 has a click engagement portion 182. The click engagement part 182 is a convex part. The click engagement part 182 is provided on the rotating body 144. The click engaging portion 182 is provided in an upward extending portion 184 that extends upward. The material of the upward extending part 184 is resin. As the handle rotates left and right, the rotating body 144 rotates. As the rotating body 144 rotates, the click engagement portion 182 moves on the circumference along the inner surface 142d. The click engagement portion 182 is also referred to as a moving click engagement portion.

   When the moving click engagement portion 182 gets over the fixed click engagement portion 180, the upward extending portion 184 is deformed so as to fall toward the rotation center side of the rotating body 144. This deformation is elastic deformation. When the moving click engagement portion 182 gets over the fixed click engagement portion 180, the resistance in the left-right rotation of the handle increases. This resistance is transmitted to the hand operating the handle. This resistance is a left / right click by the second left / right click engagement portion. The left / right position of the handle when the left / right click occurs in the second left / right click engagement portion is the same as the left / right position of the handle when the left / right click occurs in the first left / right click engagement portion. The left / right click by the second left / right click engaging portion occurs simultaneously with the left / right click by the first left / right click engaging portion. The second left and right click engagement portion appears at the same time as the first left and right click engagement portion. In the present application, when the expression is “simultaneously”, an error of ± 2 ° is allowed in the left and right positions of the handle. That is, if the difference between the left and right position of the handle when the first left and right click engagement portion is developed and the left and right position of the handle when the second left and right click engagement portion is developed is within 4 °, Interpreted as expressed. With this level of difference, the user (human) usually feels at the same time.

  The second left and right click engagement portion is an engagement between the convex portion and the convex portion. The engagement between the convex portions and the convex portions is accompanied by elastic deformation. This elastic deformation is an elastic deformation of the resin portion in the upper case 142 or the rotating body 144. As described above, in the present embodiment, the upward extending portion 184 is elastically deformed. This elastic deformation increases the handle resistance. The increase in handle resistance when the second left and right click engagement portion appears is greater than the increase in handle resistance when the first left and right click engagement portion appears. The handle resistance means a resistance force when operating the handle. In the present embodiment, the handle resistance is a resistance force when the handle is rotated left and right.

  The sound that is generated when the second left and right click engagement portion is expressed is smaller than the sound that is generated when the first left and right click engagement portion is expressed. The magnitude of this sound is determined by the sound pressure. This sound pressure can be measured at a predetermined position. This predetermined position may be, for example, a position above the handle, on the rotation axis of the left-right rotation of the handle, and at a shortest distance from the upper case of 30 cm.

  As described above, in the first left and right click engagement portion, the movable end KD hits the click guide surface m1 to generate sound and vibration. In addition, the second left and right click engagement portion provides a sense of resistance transmitted to the hand. With the synergistic effect of these two click engaging portions, the user can more clearly recognize the left and right clicks. In the first left and right click engagement portion, the sound is loud, but there is little sense transmitted to the hand. In the second left and right click engagement portion, a sense transmitted to the hand is large. Due to the synergistic effect of these two left and right click engaging portions, the occurrence of left and right clicks is more reliably transmitted to the user.

  Examples of the material of the click elastic body E2 include metals and resins. This resin includes a fiber reinforced resin. Examples of this resin include POM resin, PA resin, PPO resin, PPS resin, and fiber reinforcing materials thereof. POM resin is polyacetal resin. PA resin is a polyamide resin. PPO resin is polyphenylene oxide resin. PPS resin is polyphenylene sulfide resin.

  More preferably, the material of the click elastic body E2 is a metal. By using metal, a clearer click (sound and vibration) can be obtained. For example, a metal sound is good as a click sound. From the viewpoint of suppressing corrosion by water, a preferred metal is a stainless alloy. When a torsion spring is employed, a spring stainless steel wire is preferred. In the above embodiment, SUS304-WPB is used as the material of the click elastic body E2.

  Examples of the material of the click urging member E1 include metals and resins. This resin includes a fiber reinforced resin. Examples of this resin include POM resin, PA resin, PPO resin, PPS resin, and fiber reinforcing materials thereof. POM resin is polyacetal resin. PA resin is a polyamide resin. PPO resin is polyphenylene oxide resin. PPS resin is polyphenylene sulfide resin.

  More preferably, the material of the click urging member E1 is a metal. Sufficient urging force can be easily obtained by using metal. From the viewpoint of suppressing corrosion by water, a preferred metal is a stainless alloy. When a torsion spring is employed, a spring stainless steel wire is preferred. In the above embodiment, SUS304-WPB is used as the material of the click urging member E1.

  Examples of the material of the lever shaft 46 include metals and resins. This resin includes a fiber reinforced resin. Examples of this resin include POM resin, PA resin, PPO resin, PPS resin, and fiber reinforcing materials thereof. POM resin is polyacetal resin. PA resin is a polyamide resin. PPO resin is polyphenylene oxide resin. PPS resin is polyphenylene sulfide resin.

  More preferably, the material of the lever shaft 46 is metal. By using metal, a clearer click (sound and vibration) can be obtained. From the viewpoint of suppressing corrosion by water, a preferred metal is a stainless alloy. In the above embodiment, SUS304 is used as the material of the lever shaft 46.

  Examples of the material of the click members V1 and V2 include metals and resins. This resin includes a fiber reinforced resin. Examples of this resin include POM resin, PA resin, PPO resin, PPS resin, and fiber reinforcing materials thereof. POM resin is polyacetal resin. PA resin is a polyamide resin. PPO resin is polyphenylene oxide resin. PPS resin is polyphenylene sulfide resin. In the above embodiment, POM resin is used as the material of the click member V1.

  The click members V1 and V2 are preferably made of metal. By using metal, clearer clicks (sounds and vibrations) can be easily obtained. A preferred metal is a stainless alloy.

  From the viewpoint of obtaining a clearer click, it is also preferable that the click members V1 and V2 are made of metal, and the lever shaft 46 is made of metal. By clicking and engaging the metals, a clearer click sound can be obtained.

  Examples of the material of the shaft body 48 include resin and metal. This resin includes a fiber reinforced resin. From the viewpoint of increasing the vibration generated in the lever shaft 46, the shaft body 48 is preferably made of metal. From the viewpoint of suppressing corrosion by water, a preferred metal is a stainless alloy. In the above embodiment, SUS304 is used as the material of the shaft body 48.

  The present application also describes other inventions that are not included in the claimed invention (including independent claims). Respective forms, members, configurations, and combinations thereof described in the claims and embodiments of the present application are recognized as inventions based on the respective functions and effects.

  Each form, member, configuration, etc. shown in each of the above embodiments is not limited to all the forms, members, or configurations of these embodiments, and the present application, including the invention according to the claims of the present application. It can be applied to all described inventions.

  The present invention can be applied to a hot and cold water mixing tap for any application.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 ... Hot and cold mixing plug 14 ... Handle 16 ... Discharge part 18 ... Hot water introduction pipe 20 ... Water introduction pipe 22 ... Discharge pipe 40 ... Valve assembly 42 ... Top Case 44: Rotating body 46 ... Lever shaft 48 ... Shaft body 50 ... Movable valve body 54 ... Fixed valve body 62 ... Packing 62 ... Lower case V1, V2 ... Click member Vt1 ... first end Vt2 ... second end kt1 ... engagement contact portion rs1 ... concave E1 ... click urging member Et11 ... base of click urging member End Et12: Working end of the click biasing member E2: Click elastic body Et21: Base end of the click elastic body Et22: Working end of the click elastic body KD: Movable end k1: Click Contact surface m1 ... Click guide surface m10 ... Tre Scan surface m20 ··· click generating surface

Claims (10)

It has a handle that can turn left and right and back and forth, and a valve assembly.
The valve assembly comprises:
A lever shaft connected to the handle and capable of rotating left and right and back and forth with the handle;
A temperature adjustment mechanism capable of adjusting the water discharge temperature by the left-right rotation;
A discharge amount adjusting mechanism capable of adjusting the discharge amount by the front-rear rotation;
A click engagement portion provided at a portion where relative movement can occur with the left-right rotation or the front-rear rotation of the lever shaft;
An adjacent portion adjacent to the click engagement portion;
With
The click engagement portion is
A click contact surface including a non-planar portion;
A click member having a first end and a second end and rotatably supported;
A click urging member that urges the click member so that the first end of the click member faces the click contact surface;
The first end portion has an engagement contact portion;
A hot and cold water mixing tap in which click engagement is achieved between the click contact surface and the engagement contact portion of the click member.   The hot and cold water mixing plug according to claim 1, wherein the click member is exposed in the valve assembly. The click biasing member is a torsion spring having a proximal end and a working end;
The hot and cold water mixing tap according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the working end biases the first end of the click member. The click biasing member is a torsion spring having a proximal end and a working end;
The hot / cold water mixing tap according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the action end of the click biasing member rotatably supports the click member.   The left and right positions of the handle include a click engagement region where the click engagement occurs when the handle rotates back and forth, and a click non-engagement region where the click engagement does not occur when the handle rotates back and forth. The hot and cold water mixing tap according to any one of 1 to 4. The left and right positions of the handle have a water region from which water is discharged, a hot water mixing region from which mixed water of hot water and water is discharged, and a hot water region from which hot water is discharged,
The entire water region is the click non-engagement region,
The hot / cold water mixing tap according to claim 5, wherein at least a part of the hot / cold water mixing area and the hot water area is the click engagement area. The left and right positions of the handle include a restriction region where rotation of the click member is restricted by the second end portion of the click member coming into contact with the adjacent portion, and the second end portion of the click member is A deregulation area that is not in contact with the adjacent part,
The entire click engagement area is the restriction release area,
The hot and cold water mixing plug according to claim 5 or 6, wherein at least a part of the click non-engagement region is the restriction region. The click biasing member is a torsion spring having a proximal end and a working end;
The left and right positions of the handle are a spring contact region in which the base end of the torsion spring is in contact with the adjacent portion, and a spring non-contact region in which the base end of the torsion spring is not in contact with the adjacent portion. And
The entire click engagement area is the spring contact area,
The hot and cold water mixing plug according to claim 5 or 6, wherein at least a part of the click non-engagement region is the spring non-contact region. The left and right positions of the handle include a restriction region where rotation of the click member is restricted by the second end portion of the click member coming into contact with the adjacent portion, and the second end portion of the click member is A deregulation area that is not in contact with the adjacent part,
The click biasing member is a torsion spring having a proximal end and a working end;
The left and right positions of the handle are a spring contact region in which the base end of the torsion spring is in contact with the adjacent portion, and a spring non-contact region in which the base end of the torsion spring is not in contact with the adjacent portion. And
At least a part of the click engagement area is the spring contact area and the restriction release area,
The hot and cold water mixing plug according to claim 5 or 6, wherein at least a part of the click non-engagement region is the spring non-contact region and the restriction region.   The hot / cold water mixing tap according to claim 1, wherein the click contact surface is provided on the lever shaft.

Images