JP2021050481A - Automatic faucet device - Google Patents

Abstract

To provide an automatic faucet device for allowing easy removal of a strainer only during maintenance or the like.SOLUTION: The automatic faucet device includes a base, a flow path unit having a flow path inside and mountable/removable on/from the base through the front side, and a cylindrical strainer having a filter part on at least part of the peripheral face and mountable/removable into/from the flow path of the flow path unit through the front side, the flow path of the flow path unit being communicated at its upstream side with a space being inside with respect to the filter part of the cylindrical strainer, the flow path of the flow path unit being communicated at its downstream side with a space being outside with respect to the filter part of the cylindrical strainer.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

The present invention relates to an automatic faucet device equipped with a strainer.

The functional part (including, for example, a solenoid valve) of the automatic faucet device may cause a malfunction such as a failure only by mixing a minute amount of dust. In order to prevent this, a strainer with a finer mesh has been conventionally used as compared with a mechanical faucet device such as a so-called single lever faucet or a thermo faucet. Then, such a fine strainer is arranged between the water stopcock or the functional part of the automatic faucet device and the water stopcock.

However, when arranging the strainer on the faucet, it is necessary to prepare a dedicated faucet different from the mechanical faucet. In addition, when the strainer is placed between the functional part of the automatic faucet device and the water stopcock, it is necessary to remove the functional part of the automatic faucet device from the water stopcock when performing maintenance on such a strainer. was there.

In addition, when the strainer is placed between the functional part of the automatic faucet device and the water stopcock, the strainer may fall off during installation or maintenance of the automatic faucet device, and further, the strainer may fall off. In some cases, the automatic faucet device was installed or restored without noticing that such a dropout occurred (without the strainer attached) (in that case, the functional part of the automatic faucet device You are exposed to the risk of failure due to the inclusion of minute-sized dust).

In addition, Patent Document 1 and Patent Document 2 disclose the basic form of the functional portion of the automatic faucet device.

Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 11-61918 JP-A-2018-53525

The inventor of the present invention has found that by adopting a tubular strainer, it is possible to realize a configuration in which only the strainer can be easily removed at the time of maintenance or the like without using a dedicated water stopcock.

The present invention has been made based on the above findings. An object of the present invention is to provide an automatic faucet device in which only the strainer can be easily removed at the time of maintenance or the like, and it is not necessary to use a dedicated faucet.

The present invention has a base, a flow path unit inside, a flow path unit that can be attached to and detached from the front side of the base, and a filtration unit on at least a part of the peripheral surface, and the flow path unit. A tubular strainer that can be attached to and detached from the front side is provided in the flow path, and the upstream side of the flow path of the flow path unit is in the space inside the filtration portion of the tubular strainer. The automatic faucet device is characterized in that the downstream side of the flow path of the flow path unit communicates with the outer space with respect to the filtration portion of the tubular strainer.

According to the present invention, a tubular strainer is adopted so that the upstream side of the flow path of the flow path unit communicates with the inner space with respect to the filtration portion of the tubular strainer, and the downstream side of the flow path of the flow path unit. By adopting a configuration in which the side communicates with the outer space of the strainer filter portion having a tubular shape, it is possible to capture fine dust flowing from the upstream side inside the strainer filter portion. In addition, at the time of maintenance or the like, it is possible to realize a layout in which only the strainer that has captured the dust inside can be easily removed, and it is possible to prevent the dust from falling into the flow path and flowing out to the downstream side. ..

Further, the automatic faucet device of the present invention has a solenoid valve, can be attached to and detached from the flow path unit on the upper side of the tubular strainer, and can attach and detach the flow path of the flow path unit. It is preferable to further include a solenoid valve unit that communicates or shuts off by opening and closing the solenoid valve.

According to this, it is possible to suppress the front-out of the automatic faucet device, and it is possible to realize an automatic faucet device with a good size balance as a whole.

Further, the flow path of the flow path unit is formed so that the cross-sectional area of the flow path gradually expands in a portion from the outer space toward the solenoid valve with respect to the filtration portion of the tubular strainer. Is preferable.

According to this, the pressure loss due to the flow path can be reduced, and the water flow toward the solenoid valve can be stabilized. As a result, it can be used even at a site where the water supply pressure is low.

For example, the flow path of the flow path unit has an upward flow path extending upward from an outer space with respect to the filtration portion of the tubular strainer, and the solenoid valve unit is the upper side. When it can be attached to and detached from the upper end of the facing flow path, it is preferable that the upward flow path is formed so that the cross-sectional area of the flow path gradually expands toward the upper side.

Further, the flow path unit or the solenoid valve unit has an annular valve seat in a plan view in which the solenoid valve is seated, and an annular recess in a plan view adjacent to the outer peripheral side of the valve seat. If so, it is more preferable that the upward flow path communicates with the annular recess at the upper end.

According to this, the water flow toward the solenoid valve (valve seat) can be supplied in all directions through the annular recess in a plan view. As a result, the force of water applied to the solenoid valve unit, particularly the diaphragm valve, can be averaged in the circumferential direction, and the opening and closing of the diaphragm valve becomes stable. As a result, it is possible to suppress unreasonable deformation due to the strained force applied to the diaphragm valve and the resulting decrease in life.

Further, it is preferable that a constant flow valve is provided in the space inside the filtration portion of the tubular strainer.

According to this, the space inside the filtration portion of the tubular strainer can be effectively utilized, and an automatic faucet device that saves space as a whole can be realized.

In this case, it is further preferable that the constant flow valve is fitted to the rear side of the tubular strainer.

According to this, the tubular strainer and the constant flow valve can be integrally handled (integratedly attached and detached), and maintenance is easy.

Further, the pressure-resistant member is provided integrally with the tubular strainer, and when the pressure-resistant member fits into the flow path unit, the strainer is fitted to the flow path of the flow path unit. It is preferably mounted inside.

According to this, since the strainer is held by fitting the pressure-resistant member and the flow path unit, it is not necessary to design the tubular strainer itself as the pressure-resistant member. This makes it possible to manufacture the strainer from a relatively low-cost material such as POM.

According to the present invention, a tubular strainer is adopted so that the upstream side of the flow path of the flow path unit communicates with the inner space with respect to the filtration portion of the tubular strainer, and the downstream side of the flow path of the flow path unit. By adopting a configuration in which the side communicates with the outer space of the strainer filter portion having a tubular shape, it is possible to capture fine dust flowing from the upstream side inside the strainer filter portion. In addition, at the time of maintenance or the like, it is possible to realize a layout in which only the strainer that has captured the dust inside can be easily removed, and it is possible to prevent the dust from falling into the flow path and flowing out to the downstream side. ..

It is a schematic perspective sectional view of the automatic faucet device by one Embodiment of this invention. It is the schematic sectional drawing of the automatic faucet device of FIG. It is a front view of the automatic faucet device of FIG. It is an enlarged perspective sectional view of the water inlet side flow path unit of the automatic faucet device of FIG. FIG. 6 is an enlarged perspective sectional view of the water inlet side flow path unit of FIG. 4 as viewed from above. It is a top view of the water inlet side flow path unit of FIG. It is the schematic sectional drawing of the automatic faucet device at the time of using the outlet side flow path unit with a generator.

Next, an automatic faucet device according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

(Constitution)
1 is a schematic perspective sectional view of an automatic faucet device 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 2 is a schematic sectional view of the automatic faucet device 1 of FIG. 1, and FIG. 3 is a schematic sectional view of FIG. It is a front view of the automatic faucet device 1.

As shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, the automatic faucet device 1 of the present embodiment has a substantially rectangular parallelepiped base 10 (which may be in the shape of a housing) and a front side (FIG. 1) of the base 10. And the flow path units 20 and 30 that can be attached to and detached from the right side of FIG. 2).

The flow path unit of the present embodiment includes a water flow path unit 20 and a water inlet side flow path unit 30. Then, the water outlet side flow path unit 20 can be attached to and detached from the front side of the base 10, and the water inlet side flow path unit 30 can be attached to and detached from the front side of the water discharge side flow path unit 20. It can be attached and detached. The term "front" here refers to the direction in which the user approaches when using the automatic faucet device 1, and generally refers to the direction facing the wall surface on which the washbasin or the automatic faucet device 1 is mounted. ..

More specifically, the lower step portion 20s of the water discharge side flow path unit 20 is in contact with the step portion 10s of the base 10, and the recess 20r above the water discharge side flow path unit 20 is the base 10. The water discharge side flow path unit 20 is attached to the base 10 from the front side (right side in FIGS. 1 and 2) so as to engage with the fitting portion 10p.

Then, the rear fitting recess 30r of the water inlet side flow path unit 30 is fitted to the front side protrusion 20p of the water flow path unit 20 via the O-ring 92. Further, this fitting state is maintained by engaging the holding member 40 with the key hole 30h of the rear fitting recess 30r and the key groove 20k of the front protruding portion 20p.

The flow path of the present embodiment has a first flow path 31 extending upward from the lower region of the base 10 and a small diameter extending from the upper end of the first flow path 31 to the front side by the water inlet side flow path unit 30. 2nd flow path 32, a large-diameter third flow path 33 that is continuous with the second flow path 32 and extends further to the front side, and a front end portion of the third flow path 33 (front of the third flow path 33). The end is defined by the rear end of the pressure resistant member 80, which will be described later), and the fourth flow path 34 (upward flow path) extending upward and the upper end of the fourth flow path 34 communicate with each other in a plan view. An annular recess 35 (fifth flow path), a sixth flow path 36 that folds back from the recess 35 via the annular valve seat 35v in a plan view and extends downward, and a lower end of the sixth flow path 36. A seventh flow path 37 extending from the portion to the rear side is formed. The annular recess 35 in plan view is adjacent to the outer peripheral side of the annular valve seat 35v in plan view.

Further, the flow paths of the present embodiment are the eighth flow path 28 and the eighth flow path 28, which are communicated with the seventh flow path 37 by the water discharge side flow path unit 20 (the central axis is offset) and further extend to the rear side. A ninth flow path 29 extending from the rear end of the eight flow path 28 to the upper region of the base 10 is formed.

Further, in the automatic faucet device 1 of the present embodiment, the solenoid valve unit 50 can be attached to and detached from the upper end of the sixth flow path 36 of the water entry side flow path unit 30 from the upper side.

More specifically, the solenoid valve unit 50 is inserted (fitted) into the upper fitting recess 30q of the water inlet side flow path unit 30 via the O-ring 95.

In the solenoid valve unit 50 of the present embodiment, the pilot hole 56 can be opened and closed by moving the pilot valve 54 by the magnetic force provided by the solenoid coil 55.

When the pilot hole 56 is opened, the back pressure chamber 53 communicates with the seventh flow path 37 or the eighth flow path 28 via the pilot passage 57, that is, the water in the back pressure chamber 53 flows into the seventh flow path. As it escapes to 37 or the eighth flow path 28, the back pressure in the back pressure chamber 53 decreases, the diaphragm 52 elastically deforms, and the main valve body 51 separates from the valve seat 35v, that is, the main valve body 51 is opened. It has become so.

When the pilot hole 56 is closed, the communication state between the back pressure chamber 53 and the pilot passage 57 is cut off, the back pressure in the back pressure chamber 53 returns to the original balanced state, and the main valve body 51 becomes the valve seat 35v. It comes into contact, that is, the main valve body 51 is closed.

Further, the third flow path 33 of the water entry side flow path unit 30 has a stepped cylindrical shape (may be a gently tapered substantially conical shape) that is gradually tapered toward the rear side (left side in FIG. 2). The tubular strainer 70 is inserted (fitted) from the front side via the O-ring 97.

The strainer 70 has a filtration portion 71 on at least a part of the peripheral surface, and the upstream side of the flow path (second flow path 32) is a space 72 inside the filtration portion 71 of the tubular strainer 70. On the other hand, the downstream side of the flow path (third flow path 33) communicates with the outer space with respect to the filtration portion 71 of the tubular strainer 70.

Further, the constant flow valve 73 is provided in the space 72 inside the filtration portion 71 of the strainer 70 on the side communicating with the second flow path 32. The constant flow valve 73 is fitted to the rear side of the tubular strainer 70.

In addition, a pressure resistant member 80 is provided on the front side of the tubular strainer 70. The pressure-resistant member 80 is screwed into the front female screw portion 30t extending further to the front side of the third flow path 33 of the water inlet side flow path unit 30 via the O-ring 98, and the pressure-resistant member 80 is screwed into the pressure-resistant member 80. The rear end of the strainer 70 defines the front end of the space 72 inside the filtration portion 71 of the strainer 70 and the front end of the third flow path 33.

Further, the fourth flow path 34 (upward flow path) of the present embodiment is formed so that the cross-sectional area of the flow path gradually expands toward the upper side. This will be supplemented with reference to FIGS. 4 to 6.

FIG. 4 is an enlarged perspective sectional view of the water inlet side flow path unit 30 of the automatic faucet device 1 of FIG. 1, and FIG. 5 is an enlarged perspective sectional view of the water inlet side flow path unit 30 of FIG. 4 as viewed from above. FIG. 6 is a plan view of the water inlet side flow path unit 30 of FIG.

As shown in FIGS. 4 to 6, the fourth flow path 34 (upward flow path) of the present embodiment flows upward so as to wrap around the cylindrical wall defining the sixth flow path 36. The road cross-sectional area is gradually expanding.

More specifically, the fourth flow path 34 (upward flow path) of the present embodiment communicates with the third flow path 33 via the opening hole 34h (see FIG. 6) on the lower surface side, and the opening hole On both the left and right sides with respect to 34h, as it goes upward, it gradually expands into the cylindrical space further outside the cylindrical wall defining the sixth flow path 36, and at the upper end, the cylinder defining the sixth flow path 36. It smoothly transitions (continuously) to the annular recess 35 that surrounds the wall (surrounds the valve seat 35v). The opening hole 34h may be formed in an arc shape by being opened in a part of the lower region of the cylindrical space further outside the cylindrical wall defining the sixth flow path 36.

(Action)
According to the automatic faucet device 1 of the present embodiment described above, the tubular strainer 70 is adopted, and the upstream side (second flow path 32) of the flow path is relative to the filtration portion 71 of the strainer 70. While communicating with the inner space 72, the downstream side (third flow path 33) of the flow path communicates with the outer space with respect to the filtration portion 71 of the strainer 70, so that the flow flows from the upstream side. It is possible to capture fine dust inside the filtration portion of the strainer 70, and at the time of maintenance or the like, only the strainer 70 that has captured the dust inside can be easily removed from the front side. This makes it possible to prevent dust from falling into the flow path and flowing out to the downstream side.

Further, according to the automatic faucet device 1 of the present embodiment, the solenoid valve unit 50 that communicates or shuts off the flow path of the flow path unit by opening and closing the solenoid valve (main valve body 51 via the pilot valve 54) enters water. It can be attached to and removed from the upper end of the sixth flow path 36 of the side flow path unit 30 (the valve seat 35v and the main valve body 51 are aligned). As a result, it is easy to remove the solenoid valve unit 50 at the time of maintenance or the like, and maintenance work of the solenoid valve unit 50 or the like is easy.

Further, according to the automatic faucet device 1 of the present embodiment, since the solenoid valve unit 50 and the strainer 70 are juxtaposed in the vertical direction, it is possible to suppress the front of the flow path, and the size balance is good as a whole. The automatic faucet device 1 can be realized.

Further, according to the automatic faucet device 1 of the present embodiment, the fourth flow path from the space outside the filtering portion 71 of the cylindrical strainer 70 to the solenoid valve (main valve body 51 of the solenoid valve unit 50). The cross-sectional area of the flow path gradually expands toward the upper side so that the 34 (upward flow path) wraps around the cylindrical wall defining the sixth flow path 36. As a result, the pressure loss due to the flow path can be reduced, and the water flow toward the solenoid valve (main valve body 51 of the solenoid valve unit 50) can be stabilized. As a result, it can be used even at a site where the water supply pressure is low.

In particular, the fourth flow path 34 (upward flow path) of the present embodiment communicates with the third flow path 33 via the opening hole 34h (see FIG. 6) on the lower surface side, and is left and right with respect to the opening hole 34h. On both sides, the solenoid valve gradually expands into the cylindrical space further outside the cylindrical wall defining the sixth flow path 36 as it goes upwards, without the need for a significant increase in space. The water flow toward (the main valve body 51 of the solenoid valve unit 50) can be effectively stabilized.

Further, the fourth flow path 34 (upward flow path) of the present embodiment is smooth at the upper end portion in the annular recess 35 surrounding the cylindrical wall defining the sixth flow path 36 (surrounding the valve seat 35v). By shifting (continuously) to, the water flow toward the valve seat 35v of the solenoid valve (main valve body 51 of the solenoid valve unit 50) can be supplied in all directions through the annular recess 35. it can. As a result, the force of water applied to the solenoid valve unit 50, particularly the diaphragm 52 (diaphragm valve), can be averaged in the circumferential direction, and the opening and closing of the diaphragm 52 becomes stable. As a result, it is possible to suppress unreasonable deformation due to a strained force applied to the diaphragm 52 and a decrease in life associated therewith.

Further, according to the automatic faucet device 1 of the present embodiment, the constant flow valve 73 is provided in the space 72 inside the filtration portion 71 of the tubular strainer 70. As a result, the space 72 inside the filtration portion 71 of the tubular strainer 70 can be effectively utilized, and the automatic faucet device 1 that saves space as a whole can be realized.

Further, according to the automatic faucet device 1 of the present embodiment, the constant flow valve 73 is fitted to the rear side of the tubular strainer 70. As a result, it is easy to integrally handle (integrately attach and detach) the tubular strainer 70 and the constant flow valve 73.

Further, according to the automatic faucet device 1 of the present embodiment, the pressure-resistant member 80 is integrally provided with the tubular strainer 70, and the pressure-resistant member 80 fits into the flow path unit to fit the strainer 70. Is installed in the flow path of the flow path unit. The pressure-resistant member 80 is preferably made of a hard material such as PPS containing glass in order to secure the pressure-resistant performance. Since the strainer 70 is held by fitting the pressure-resistant member 80 and the flow path unit, it is not necessary to design the tubular strainer 70 itself as the pressure-resistant member. Therefore, the strainer 70 is made of a relatively low-cost material such as POM. It becomes possible to manufacture.

In the automatic faucet device 1 of the present embodiment, the water outlet side flow path unit 20 can be replaced with a water discharge side flow path unit 120 equipped with a generator 125 for generating water flow. FIG. 7 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the automatic faucet device 1 when the water outlet side flow path unit 20 is replaced by the water discharge side flow path unit 120 with a generator.

The water discharge side flow path unit 120 with a generator has an engaging recess (not shown) that engages with the rib 10r (see FIG. 2) of the base 10, and the rib 10r and the engaging recess are engaged with each other. By matching, it is held on the base 10.

As shown in FIG. 7, the discharge side flow path unit 120 with a generator also has the eighth flow path 128 and the ninth flow path similar to the eighth flow path 28 and the ninth flow path 29 of the water discharge side flow path unit 20. Road 129 is provided. Further, in order to hold the water inlet side flow path unit 30, it has a key groove 120k similar to the key groove 20k.

1 Automatic faucet device 10 Base 10p Fitting part 10r Rib 10s Step part 20 Outflow side flow path unit 20k Key groove 20p Front side protrusion 20r Recess 20s Step part 28 8th flow path 29 9th flow path 30 Water entry side flow Road unit 30h Key hole 30q Upper fitting recess 30r Rear fitting recess 30t Front female threaded portion 31 First flow path 32 Second flow path 33 Third flow path 34 Fourth flow path 34h Opening hole 35 Recession 35v Valve seat 36 6th flow path 37 7th flow path 40 Suppressing member 50 Solenoid valve unit 51 Main valve body 52 Diaphragm 53 Back pressure chamber 54 Pilot valve 55 Solenoid coil 56 Pilot hole 57 Pilot passage 70 Strainer 71 Filter section 72 Space 73 Constant flow valve 80 Pressure-resistant member 92 O-ring 95 O-ring 97 O-ring 98 O-ring 120 Outflow side flow path unit with generator 120k Keyway 125 Generator 128 8th flow path 129 9th flow path

Claims (8)

Base and
A flow path unit that has a flow path inside and can be attached to and detached from the front side of the base.
A tubular strainer that has a filtration unit on at least a part of the peripheral surface and can be attached to and detached from the front side in the flow path of the flow path unit.
With
The upstream side of the flow path of the flow path unit communicates with the space inside the filtration part of the tubular strainer, and the downstream side of the flow path of the flow path unit is the filtration part of the tubular strainer. An automatic faucet device characterized in that it communicates with the outer space. It has a solenoid valve, can be attached to and detached from the flow path unit on the upper side of the tubular strainer, and communicates or shuts off the flow path of the flow path unit by opening and closing the solenoid valve. The automatic faucet device according to claim 1, further comprising an solenoid valve unit. The flow path of the flow path unit is characterized in that the flow path cross-sectional area is gradually expanded in a portion from an outer space toward the solenoid valve with respect to the filtration portion of the tubular strainer. The automatic faucet device according to claim 2. The flow path of the flow path unit has an upward flow path extending upward from an outer space with respect to the filtration portion of the tubular strainer.
The solenoid valve unit can be attached to and detached from the upper end of the upward flow path.
The automatic faucet device according to claim 3, wherein the upward flow path is formed so that the cross-sectional area of the flow path gradually expands toward the upper side. The flow path unit or the solenoid valve unit has an annular valve seat in a plan view in which the solenoid valve is seated, and an annular recess in a plan view adjacent to the outer peripheral side of the valve seat. ,
The automatic faucet device according to claim 4, wherein the upward flow path communicates with the annular recess at the upper end. The automatic faucet device according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein a constant flow valve is provided in a space inside the filtration portion of the tubular strainer. The automatic faucet device according to claim 6, wherein the constant flow valve is fitted to the rear side of the tubular strainer. The pressure-resistant member is provided integrally with the tubular strainer.
The automatic faucet device according to claim 7, wherein the strainer is mounted in the flow path of the flow path unit by fitting the pressure-resistant member into the flow path unit.

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