JP2020026612A - Faucet device - Google Patents

Abstract

To prevent rotation of a handle due to dead weight thereof.SOLUTION: A faucet device A has a joint body 49 attached inside the jointing recess 27S of a cylindrical joint member 27 and rotatable around a horizontal axis H, a flow passage switching handle 40 for water supply operation with the center of gravity G eccentrically positioned from the horizontal axis and integrally rotatable with the joint body 49, and an elastic member 50 provided between the jointing recess 27S and the joint body 49 and imparting resistance against the rotation action to the joint body 49. The center of gravity G of the flow passage switching handle 40 is eccentric from the horizontal axis H; however, the resistance against the rotation action is imparted to the flow passage switching handle 40 and the joint body 49 by the elastic member 50, causing no possibility of rotation of the flow passage switching handle 40 due to dead weight.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

  The present invention relates to a faucet device.

  Patent Literature 1 discloses a faucet apparatus in which a switching handle is provided on a right side of a faucet body having a water supply function, and a temperature control handle is provided on a left side of the faucet body. When the switching handle is rotated around the horizontal axis, the water supply mode can be switched between water stoppage, shower, and curan. By rotating the temperature control handle, the water supply temperature can be adjusted.

JP 2010-189842 A

  The handle of the faucet device has a short cylindrical shape concentric with the center of rotation, has a short length from the horizontal axis to the outer operation surface, and requires a large operation force for rotation. As means for rotating the handle with a small operating force, it is conceivable to largely decenter the operating portion of the handle from the horizontal axis. However, in this case, since the center of gravity of the handle is far from the horizontal axis, the handle is rotated downward by its own weight, and there is a concern that the flow rate decreases when the shower is used or the flow rate increases when the callan is used. You.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned conventional circumstances, and has as an object to solve the problem of preventing the handle from turning by its own weight.

The faucet device of the present invention,
A body member fixedly provided;
A movable member attached to the main body member and rotatable about a horizontal axis;
A handle for water supply operation whose center of gravity is at a position eccentric from the horizontal axis and is rotatable integrally with the movable member,
A resistance applying member is provided between the main body member and the movable member, and applies a resistance to the movable member against a turning operation.

  In the present invention, the water supply operation means at least one of a temperature adjustment operation for adjusting the water supply temperature and a flow path switching operation for switching the water supply mode to one of water stoppage, shower, and curan. I do.

  Since the center of gravity of the handle is eccentric from the horizontal axis, a turning force by its own weight acts on the handle. However, the handle and the movable member are provided with resistance against the turning operation by the resistance applying member, so that there is no possibility that the handle is turned by its own weight.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the water faucet device of the first embodiment. Exploded perspective view of a faucet device Partially enlarged partially cutaway plan view showing mounting structure of flow path switching handle to faucet body Exploded perspective view showing a mounting structure of a resistance applying member. Side view showing the rotation form of the flow path switching handle

  In the water faucet device of the present invention, the main body member is provided with a joint concave portion, and the movable member includes a joint main body fixed to the handle and fitted into the joint concave portion. The imparting member may be a ring-shaped elastic member mounted between the inner periphery of the joint recess and the outer periphery of the joint body. According to this configuration, since the elastic member is accommodated in the joint recess, a dedicated space for accommodating the elastic member is not required.

  The faucet device of the present invention includes an operating portion in which the handle extends substantially parallel to the horizontal axis, and a pair of supporting portions connected to both ends of the operating portion. May be connected to the movable member so as to be integrally rotatable, and the other supporting portion may be fitted to the main body member so as to be relatively rotatable coaxially with the horizontal axis. According to this configuration, since the handle is supported by the main body member and the movable member at both ends in the length direction, there is no possibility that the handle is inclined with respect to the horizontal axis. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the resistance imparting member from being illegally deformed due to the inclination of the handle with respect to the horizontal axis.

<Example 1>
Hereinafter, a first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. In the following description, forward and backward directions are defined as obliquely lower right in FIGS. 1 and 2, downward in FIG. 3, and left in FIG. 5, respectively. Regarding the vertical direction, the directions appearing in FIGS. 1, 2, and 5 are defined as upward and downward as they are. Regarding the left and right directions, the directions shown in FIGS. 1 to 4 are defined as left and right as they are.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the faucet apparatus A of the first embodiment includes a faucet main body 10, a circular or cylindrical temperature adjusting handle 22, and a flow path switching handle 40 (the handle according to the claims). ). The faucet main body 10 is configured to include a housing 11 (a main body member described in the claims) and a water supply unit 24, and has a flat block shape whose height is smaller than its width as a whole. The faucet main body 10 of the faucet device A is fixedly installed on a wall surface of a bathroom or the like.

  The housing 11 is a combination of an upper cover 12, a lower cover 13, and a rear cover 14. A water supply unit 24 is housed in the housing 11. An elongated accent line 15 in the left-right direction is provided on the upper surface of the upper cover 12 at a position forward (front side) from the center in the front-rear direction.

  At the left end of the upper surface of the upper cover 12, a temperature control sign 16 is provided as means for improving operability when adjusting the water supply temperature. The temperature control sign 16 includes a temperature sign 17 formed at the left end of the accent line 15 and a pair of front and rear temperature control signs 18. The temperature indicator 17 indicates the temperature of characters such as 40 ° C. The pair of temperature control operation signs 18 indicate the operation direction of the temperature adjustment handle 22, and a letter “H” is displayed on the back side (rear side) of the temperature sign 17, and the front side of the temperature sign 17 ( The character “C” is displayed at the front.

  The right end of the upper surface of the upper cover 12 enhances the operability when the water supply mode is switched to one of water stoppage, shower, and curan (a downward water outlet for supplying water from the faucet device A to a washing place or a bathtub). As a means, a channel switching sign 19 is provided. The flow path switching sign 19 is composed of a water stop sign 20 formed by the right end of the accent line 15 and a pair of front and rear switching operation signs 21. The pair of switching operation signs 21 indicate the operation direction of the flow path switching handle 40 (details will be described later) when switching between the shower and the callan. Is displayed, and a symbol indicating Kallang is displayed on the near side (front side) of the water stop sign 20.

  The temperature adjustment handle 22 is a unit for performing an operation (water supply operation) for adjusting the water supply temperature, and is attached in a form protruding leftward from the left side surface of the water supply unit 24 (the faucet main body 10). The temperature control handle 22 is attached to a valve body (not shown) of the temperature control valve unit so as to be able to rotate integrally. The temperature adjustment handle 22 is rotatable about a horizontal axis H in the horizontal direction coaxial with the rotation center of the temperature adjustment valve unit.

  The water supply unit 24 has a temperature adjustment function for adjusting the water supply temperature and a flow path switching function for switching the water supply mode to one of water stoppage, a shower, and a curan. The water supply unit 24 includes a valve case 25 (main body member described in the claims) provided in a fixed state, a temperature control valve unit (not shown), and a flow path switching valve unit 26 (a valve unit described in the claims). And a tubular joint member 27 (a main body member described in the claims).

  The temperature control valve unit (not shown) is accommodated in the left region of the valve case 25. The flow path switching valve unit 26 is housed in the right side region of the valve case 25. The tubular joint member 27 is fixedly attached to the right end of the valve case 25. The valve case 25 has a water supply connecting portion 28 for supplying water to the temperature control valve unit and the flow path switching valve unit 26, and a hot water supply to the temperature control valve unit and the flow path switching valve unit 26. Hot water supply connection portion 29 is provided.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the flow path switching valve unit 26 has a valve cylinder 31 (a main body member described in the claims) and a valve body 31 (a movable member described in the claims) housed in the valve cylinder 30. A male screw part 33 is formed on the outer periphery of the right end of the valve cylinder 30. The valve body 31 is rotatable about a horizontal axis H in the left-right direction with respect to the valve cylinder 30. When the valve body 31 rotates, a flow path switching function is exhibited. The valve body 31 has a shaft portion 34 protruding coaxially with the horizontal axis H from a right end surface thereof, and a female screw hole 35 formed coaxially with the shaft portion 34. A cylindrical joint member 27 having a cylindrical shape concentric with the horizontal axis H is attached to the male screw portion 33 of the valve case 25 by screwing. As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the inside of the tubular joint member 27 is a joint recess 27S.

  The flow path switching handle 40 is means for performing a flow path switching operation (water supply operation) for switching the water supply mode to one of water stoppage, a shower, and a curan, and is attached to the faucet main body 10 (water supply unit 24). ing. The flow path switching handle 40 has a shape extending in the left-right direction substantially parallel to the horizontal axis H of the flow path switching valve unit 26 as a whole. As shown in FIGS. 1, 3, and 4, the flow path switching handle 40 is configured by assembling a metal handle body 41 and a synthetic resin decorative cover 42 in terms of components. The flow path switching handle 40 is configured such that the operating portion 43 extends elongated substantially in parallel with the horizontal axis H, a connecting portion 45 connected to a right end portion of the operating portion 43, and a fitting connected to a left end portion of the operating portion 43. And a joining portion 53.

  The operation section 43 includes a main body section 44 for operation extending in the left-right direction of the handle main body 41 and a decorative cover 42 attached to the main body section 44 for operation. The operation unit 43 is a part for performing a push operation with a finger or hand when swinging the flow path switching handle 40. The operation section 43 has a length that covers the entire width region of the faucet main body 10 in order to enhance operability. Therefore, the ratio of the weight occupied by the operation section 43 in the flow path switching handle 40 is large.

  As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the connecting portion 45 includes a plate-shaped support portion 46 (one support portion described in claims) that is circular and concentric with the horizontal axis H, and has a diameter from the outer periphery of the plate-shaped support portion 46. A right arm portion 47 extending outward in the direction is provided, and a joint unit 48 protruding coaxially to the left from the plate-like support portion 46. The extending end of the right arm 47 extends substantially at right angles to the right end of the operation main body 44, and the plate-shaped support portion 46 and the right arm 47 of the connecting portion 45 are connected to the operation main body 44. Together, they constitute a metal handle main body 41.

  The joint unit 48 is configured by assembling a joint body 49 (a movable member described in the claims) made of a synthetic resin and a pair of elastic members 50 (a resistance applying member described in the claims). The joint body 49 has a substantially cylindrical shape concentric with the plate-like support portion 46. The right end surface of the joint body 49 is in contact with the left surface of the plate-shaped support portion 46, and a screw 51 penetrating the plate-shaped support portion 46 is screwed into a nut 52 attached to the joint body 49. By tightening the screw 51 and the nut 52, the joint body 49 and the plate-like support portion 46 are attached concentrically.

  The elastic member 50 is made of a rubber O-ring. The pair of elastic members 50 are mounted in a pair of grooves formed in a left end region on the outer periphery of the joint body 49. The pair of elastic members 50 are arranged at intervals in the left-right direction (the direction parallel to the horizontal axis H). The elastic member 50 has a waterproof function of sealing a gap between the tubular joint member 27 (the joint concave portion 27S) and the joint main body 49, and a resistance against rotation operation with respect to the flow path switching handle 40 and the valve body 31. This is a member that also has a function of imparting resistance.

  As shown in FIGS. 2 and 4, the fitting portion 53 includes a ring-shaped support portion 54 (the other support portion described in claims), which is circular and concentric with the horizontal axis H, and an outer periphery of the ring-shaped support portion 54. A left arm portion 55 extending radially outward. The extension end of the left arm portion 55 extends substantially at right angles to the left end of the operation main body portion 44, and the fitting portion 53 (the ring-shaped support portion 54 and the left arm portion 55) is connected to the operation main body portion. Together with 44, a metal handle body 41 is formed.

  With the flow path switching handle 40 attached to the faucet main body 10, the ring-shaped support portion 54 is rotatably fitted to the left end of the valve case 25. Similarly, in a state where the flow path switching handle 40 is attached to the faucet main body 10, the joint unit 48 is accommodated coaxially in the joint concave portion 27S. A bolt 56 penetrating the joint body 49 is screwed into the female screw hole 35 of the valve body 31. By fastening the bolt 56 and the female screw hole 35, the joint unit 48 (the right end connecting portion 45 of the flow path switching handle 40) is connected to the valve body 31 so as to be integrally rotatable. A circular cap 57 for hiding the screw 51 and the bolt 56 is attached to the outer surface (right surface) of the plate-like support portion 46.

  In a state where the joint body 49 is housed in the joint recess 27S, the pair of elastic members 50 attached to the outer periphery of the joint body 49 are housed in the joint recess 27S. Then, the pair of elastic members 50 are closely adhered to the outer peripheral surface of the joint main body 49 and the inner peripheral surface of the joint concave portion 27S in a state of being elastically deformed so as to be crushed in the radial direction. Thereby, the gap between the outer peripheral surface of the joint main body 49 and the inner peripheral surface of the joint concave portion 27S is sealed in a liquid-tight manner.

  In this manner, the flow path switching handle 40 is supported by the faucet main body 10 (the water supply unit 24) at the left and right ends (the coupling part 45 and the fitting part 53), and rotates around the horizontal axis H in the left and right direction. It can move. In a state where the flow path switching handle 40 is attached to the faucet main body 10, as shown in FIG. 5, the operation unit 43 is radially eccentric from the horizontal axis H in a side view parallel to the horizontal axis H. It is arranged in. Therefore, in a side view, the center of gravity G of the flow path switching handle 40 is at a position eccentric radially outward from the horizontal axis H.

  As shown by the solid line in FIG. 5, in a state where the flow path switching handle 40 is at the water stop position, the operation unit 43 and the center of gravity G are slightly higher than the horizontal axis H and are located forward of the horizontal axis H. Position (forward from the front end of the upper cover 12). When the shower is used from the water stopped state, as shown by a dashed line in FIG. 5, the operation section 43 is operated to push up and the flow path switching handle 40 is rotated. As the upward swing angle (displacement amount) of the operation unit 43 increases, the amount of water supplied from the shower increases. When the flow path switching handle 40 is rotated so as to swing the operation unit 43 downward, the water supply unit 24 returns to the water stopped state.

  When water is supplied from the callan, as shown by a two-dot chain line in FIG. 5, the operation unit 43 is operated to push down, and the flow path switching handle 40 is rotated. As the downward swing angle (displacement amount) of the operation unit 43 increases, the amount of water supplied from the curan increases. When the flow path switching handle 40 is rotated to swing the operation unit 43 upward, the water supply unit 24 returns to the water stop state.

  As described above, since the center of gravity G of the flow path switching handle 40 is located eccentric radially outward from the horizontal axis H, the operation unit 43 is always provided on the flow path switching handle 40 in a downward direction (on the callan side). A turning force in the direction of swinging is acting. Therefore, although the operation unit 43 is not pressed, the flow path switching handle 40 at the water stop position is rotated to the callan side, the flow rate increases when the callan is used, or the flow rate decreases when the shower is used. There is a concern about the occurrence of events such as dripping.

  In the faucet apparatus A of the first embodiment, between the joint recess 27S and the joint body 49, the flow path switching handle 40 is prevented from rotating by its own weight when the operation unit 43 is not operated. For this purpose, a pair of elastic members 50 are provided. In a state where the joint unit 48 is accommodated in the joint recess 27S, the elastic member 50 is elastically crushed, so that the elastic member 50 stores an elastic restoring force outward in the radial direction. Therefore, even if the joint body 49 attempts to rotate relative to the tubular joint member 27, the space between the elastic member 50 and the outer peripheral surface of the joint body 49, or the inner peripheral surface of the elastic member 50 and the joint concave portion 27 </ b> S. A frictional resistance due to the elastic restoring force of the elastic member 50 is generated between the two. This frictional resistance is a resistance for suppressing the turning operation of the joint body 49 and the flow path switching handle 40.

  The faucet apparatus A of the first embodiment includes a main body member (housing 11, valve case 25, valve cylinder 30, and tubular joint member 27) fixedly provided in a bathroom or the like, and a movable member (valve body 31, joint body). 49), a flow path switching handle 40 for water supply operation, and a resistance imparting member (elastic member 50). The movable member (the valve body 31 and the joint main body 49) is attached to the main body member (the housing 11, the valve case 25, the valve cylinder 30, and the tubular joint member 27), and is rotatable about a horizontal axis H.

  The flow path switching handle 40 is located at a position where the center of gravity G is eccentric from the horizontal axis H, and is rotatable integrally with the movable member (the valve body 31 and the joint body 49). The resistance imparting member (elastic member 50) is provided between the main body member (tubular joint member 27) and the movable member (joint main body 49), and has a resistance to the movable member (joint main body 49) that resists the turning operation. Is given.

  In the first embodiment, the water supply operation means at least one of a temperature control operation for adjusting the water supply temperature and a flow path switching operation for switching the water supply mode to one of water stoppage, shower, and curan. I do. Since the center of gravity G of the flow path switching handle 40 is eccentric from the horizontal axis H, the rotating force due to its own weight acts on the flow path switching handle 40. However, since resistance against the turning operation is applied to the flow path switching handle 40 and the movable members (the valve body 31 and the joint body 49) by the resistance applying member (elastic member 50), the flow path switching operation is performed. There is no danger that the handle 40 will rotate by its own weight.

  Further, the main body member includes a tubular joint member 27 attached to the valve case 25 of the passage switching valve unit 26, and the movable member is fixed to the passage switching handle 40, and the tubular joint member 27 And a joint main body 49 fitted into the joint concave portion 27S. The resistance applying member is a ring-shaped elastic member 50 mounted between the inner periphery of the joint recess 27 </ b> S and the outer periphery of the joint main body 49. According to this configuration, since the elastic member 50 is housed in the joint recess 27S, a dedicated space for housing the elastic member 50 is unnecessary.

  The elastic member 50 is formed of an O-ring having a waterproof function for sealing a gap between the inner periphery of the joint recess 27S and the outer periphery of the joint member. That is, the elastic member 50 functions as a means for imparting resistance to the movable member (the valve body 31 and the joint body 49), and seals between the body member (the tubular joint member 27) and the movable member (the joint body 49). It also has a function as a waterproof means. Therefore, the number of components can be reduced as compared with a case where a dedicated member as the resistance applying unit and a dedicated member as the waterproofing unit are separately provided.

  The flow path switching handle 40 includes an operation unit 43 extending substantially in parallel with the horizontal axis H, and a pair of support units (a plate-shaped support unit 46 and a ring-shaped support unit 54) connected to both ends of the operation unit 43. ), One of the support portions (plate-like support portion 46) is connected to a movable member (joint body 49) so as to be integrally rotatable, and the other support portion (ring-like support portion 54) is The main body member (outer periphery of the left end portion of the valve case 25) is fitted coaxially with the horizontal axis H so as to be relatively rotatable.

  As described above, the flow path switching handle 40 is supported by the faucet main body 10 having the main body member (the valve case 25) and the movable member (the joint main body 49) at both ends in the length direction. There is no risk of tilting with respect to H. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the resistance imparting member (elastic member 50) from being illegally deformed due to the inclination of the flow path switching handle 40 with respect to the horizontal axis H.

<Other embodiments>
The present invention is not limited to the embodiments described with reference to the above description and drawings. For example, the following embodiments are also included in the technical scope of the present invention.
(1) In the above embodiment, the resistance imparting member (elastic member) elastically makes radial contact with the inner periphery of the main body member (cylindrical joint member) and the outer periphery of the movable member (joint main body). The applying member may be one that elastically contacts the disk that rotates integrally with the movable member in the axial direction. In this case, the elastic member may be a rubber part or a metal spring.
(2) In the above embodiment, the elastic member also has a function as a waterproofing means, but the elastic member may not have a waterproofing function.
(3) In the above embodiment, the resistance applying member is provided only on the connecting portion side (right end portion side) of the flow path switching handle, but the resistance applying member is provided on the fitting portion side (left end portion) of the flow path switching handle. Side), or may be provided on both the connecting part side and the fitting part side.
(4) In the above embodiment, the operation unit extends substantially parallel to the horizontal axis. However, the operation unit may extend substantially perpendicular to the horizontal axis.
(5) In the above embodiment, the operation unit is disposed within the entire width of the faucet body, but a part of the operation unit may be disposed outside and within the full width of the faucet body.
(6) In the above embodiment, the left and right ends of the operation unit are supported by the faucet main body. However, the flow path switching handle is a cantilever in which only one of the left and right ends of the operation unit is supported by the faucet main body. It may be of a supporting form.

A: faucet device G: center of gravity H: horizontal axis 11: housing (body member)
25 ... Valve case (body member)
26 ... Flow switching valve unit (valve unit)
27 ... tubular joint member (body member)
27S: Joint recess 30: Valve cylinder (body member)
31 ... Valve body (movable member)
40 ... Handle for channel switching (handle)
43 ... operation part 46 ... plate-shaped support part (one support part)
49 Joint body (movable member)
50 ... elastic member (resistance applying member)
54 ... Ring-shaped support part (the other support part)

Claims (3)

A body member fixedly provided;
A movable member attached to the main body member and rotatable about a horizontal axis;
A handle for water supply operation whose center of gravity is at a position eccentric from the horizontal axis and is rotatable integrally with the movable member,
A faucet device, comprising: a resistance applying member provided between the main body member and the movable member, for imparting resistance to the movable member against a turning operation. The body member is provided with a joint recess,
The movable member includes a joint body fixed to the handle and fitted in the joint recess.
The faucet device according to claim 1, wherein the resistance applying member is a ring-shaped elastic member mounted between an inner periphery of the joint concave portion and an outer periphery of the joint main body. The handle includes an operation unit extending substantially parallel to the horizontal axis, and a pair of support units connected to both ends of the operation unit.
One of the support portions is integrally rotatably connected to the movable member,
The faucet device according to claim 1, wherein the other support portion is fitted to the main body member so as to be relatively rotatable coaxially with the horizontal axis. 4.

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