JP3804154B2 - Shower equipment - Google Patents

Description

【００２６】
なお、噴霧角度とは、図４（ａ）に示すように、噴霧分布における両端のセルと噴出孔１６を直線で結んだときの角度である。噴霧角度は、旋回孔１２が３カ所のものが最も大きい。流体の旋回力が大きければ、噴霧角度が大きくなることから、旋回孔１２の数が３カ所のものが旋回力が大きく、旋回室１５内での旋回流が最も安定していることがわかる。従って、図５に示すように、噴霧ノズルの圧力損失は旋回孔１２の数が３カ所のものが最も小さい。
【００２７】
また、旋回孔１２が３カ所である場合、旋回室１５内の旋回流が安定し、中心軸流れの乱れが小さいため、噴霧分布はより均等となっている。
【００２８】
本発明の第１の実施例によれば、３カ所の旋回孔１２を設けた構成であり、旋回室１５において旋回流が安定するとともに、流体の旋回力が低下しないため、噴霧角度が大きくなるともに、噴霧ノズルの圧力損失を小さくできるという効果がある。
【００２９】
また、３カ所の旋回孔１２の中心に中心孔を設けた構成としており、旋回室１５内において旋回流に中心軸流れが形成され、噴出孔１６での旋回流の旋回成分と直進成分の均衡がとれるので、広範囲に渡って均一な噴霧分布を実現できるという効果がある。
【００３０】
さらに、旋回孔１２の流入側開口部１２ａと流出側開口部１２ｂが、重るように構成されているので、容易に樹脂成型が行え、噴霧ノズルの低コストが可能で
ある。
【００３１】
なお、本実施例では、旋回孔１２の流入側開口部１２ａと流出側開口部１２ｂを３０゜の角度で結ばれているが、この角度は旋回力を考慮すれば１５゜〜６０゜であることが望ましい。
【００３２】
また、面取り部１８は噴霧角度が最も大きくなる６０゜としているが、３０゜〜７０゜の範囲であれば旋回流に乱れが発生しにくく、十分な噴霧角度を得ることができる。
【００３３】
（実施例２）
次に、本発明の第２の実施例を図６、７を参照しながら説明する。
【００３４】
図６は第２の実施例の噴霧ノズルの断面図であり、図７は旋回チップ１１の外観図である。第２の実施例において、第１の実施例と異なるのは、旋回チップ１１の３カ所の旋回孔１２の中心に中心孔１３を設けない構成としている点である。
【００３５】
上記構成において、第１の実施例と異なる作用のみ説明する。流入した流体は、旋回チップ１１に至ると、３カ所の旋回孔１２に均等に分流する。流体は中心軸流れが形成されないが、前流量が同一流量であれば、旋回流流量の増加量分ほど発生旋回力が増加する。従って、噴出孔１６を通過する噴流の旋回力が大きくなり、低流量・低圧力でさらに噴霧角度を大きくできるという効果がある。
【００３６】
なお、噴出孔１６の面取り部１８を設けず、噴出孔１６の流入側にバリ等がないように構成すれば、噴出孔１６流入時に旋回流の軸流れが形成され、噴霧の中心の増加し、噴霧分布を均等にすることが可能となる。また、第一の実施例のように中心孔１３側が設けられた構成においても、同様の作用により中心の噴霧量を増加することができる。
【００３７】
（実施例３）
次に、本発明の第３の実施例を図８を参照しながら、第１の実施例と異なる点のみを説明する。図８は第３の実施例の噴霧ノズルの断面図である。
【００３８】
図８において、ノズル本体１９には、流体が流入する流入口９と流入路１０が設けられているとともに、流入路１０の流出側には、同一円周上に３カ所の旋回部である旋回孔２０と旋回孔の略中心に中心孔２１が設けられている。また、ノズル本体１９は、流体を噴出する噴出孔１６が設けられたノズルキャップ２１と噴霧可変手段であるねじ部２２で螺合されており、ノズルキャップ２１を回転することによって旋回孔２０と噴出孔１６の距離を調節可能としている。ノズル本体１９とノズルキャップ２１の嵌合部には、シール部材２３が設けてあり、ねじ部２２からの流体の漏れを防止している。
【００３９】
２４は、旋回孔２０下流側に設けられ、旋回孔２０で旋回されたそれぞれの旋回流が混同する旋回室であり、旋回流を安定している。また、旋回室１５の旋回孔２０側は、旋回孔２０が設けられている円周径よりも大きく、噴出孔１６側は旋回孔２０が設けられている円周径よりも小さく構成してある。そして、旋回流抑制部２５は、ノズルキャップ２１が回転され、旋回孔２０と噴出孔１６との距離が最小となったときに、ノズル本体１８の旋回孔２０流出側の面に当接し、旋回孔２０を閉止する構成となっている。
【００４０】
上記した構成において、本実施例の作用を第１の実施例と異なる点のみ説明する。
【００４１】
３カ所の旋回孔２０から旋回室２４に流入した流体は、旋回室２４内で旋回流となり、噴出孔１６から噴出される。このとき、噴出孔１６に達する旋回流の旋回力は、旋回孔２０と噴出孔１６と距離に影響を受ける。すなわち、噴出孔１６から噴出する噴霧角度は、ねじ部２２によって調節される旋回孔２０と噴出孔１
６と距離に応じて変化することになる。噴霧角度と旋回孔２０と噴出孔１６との距離との関係を図９に示す。図９において、噴霧角度は旋回力が最も大きくなる距離で最大となり、その距離よりからの調節量が大きいほど、噴霧角度が小さくなっている。最大噴霧角度示す距離から、旋回孔２０と噴出孔１６との距離が増加すると、旋回力は徐々に減衰し、噴霧角度が小さくなる。また、最大噴霧角度示す距離から、旋回孔２０と噴出孔１６との距離が減少すると、旋回流が十分に形成されないため、同様に噴霧角度が小さくなる。さらに、旋回孔２０と噴出孔１６との距離を減少させると、図１０に示すように旋回流抑制部２５が旋回孔２０流出側の面に当折し、旋回孔を閉止する。従って、流体は旋回室２４内に中心孔２１からのみ流入するため、旋回流が発生せず、その噴流はほぼ直噴状態となる。
【００４２】
また、旋回力が増加すると、噴霧角度が大きくなるとともに、流体の噴霧粒子も小さくなり、旋回力が減少すると、噴霧角度が小さくなるとともに、流体の噴霧粒子が大きくなる。
【００４３】
すなわち、ねじ部２２により旋回孔２０と噴出孔１６の距離を調節可能とするとともに、旋回流抑制部２５設け旋回孔２０を閉止可能としているので、局所的な直流の噴流、噴霧角度が小さく噴霧粒子が大きい部分的な噴流、噴霧角度が大きく噴霧粒子の小さい噴流まで、使用状況に応じた自由な選択が可能となるという効果がある。
【００４４】
次に、上記実施例の噴射ノズルを使用した具体例を以下の実施例で説明する。
【００４５】
（実施例４）
図１１、図１２において、シャワー装置２６は、浴室壁面２７に取り付けられており、浴室内でシャワー装置本体２８に収納可能な着座手段である椅子２９に着座し、シャワーを浴びれるようになっている。
【００４６】
３０は湯が供給される給湯管であり、３１は水が供給される給水管である。給湯管３０と給水管３１は、混合弁３２に連通しており、混合弁３２は温度設定手段３３により設定された温度に湯と水を混合する。温度設定手段３３は、使用者が誤って高温の湯を浴びないように、設定温度が５０℃以上にならないようにストッパー（図示せず）が設けてある。
【００４７】
切替弁３４は混合弁３２で混合された混合湯をハンドシャワー３５と、ミストシャワー３６側に切り替えるとともに、混合湯の閉止を行うものであり、前述の操作は、流量設定手段３７により行われる。
【００４８】
切替弁３４のミストシャワー３６側下流には、混合弁３２の誤動作あるいは誤操作による高温の混合湯の供給が行われたときに、高温の混合湯をミストシャワー３６側に供給しないようにしたハイカット弁３８が設けてある。ハイカット弁３８は図１３に示すように、感温体である形状記憶ばね３９とバイアスばね４０により弁体４１を付勢し、切替弁３４と連通する流入口４２から混合湯が流入するようになっている。通常、形状記憶ばね３９の付勢力は、バイアスばね４０よりも小さく、弁体４１が左側に付勢された状態で流出口４３からミストシャワー３６へ混合湯が供給される。
【００４９】
高温の混合湯が供給されると、形状記憶ばね３９の付勢力が増加し、バイアスばね４０の付勢力よりも大きくなるため、弁体４１が右側に付勢され、高温排水口４４から高温水が排水される。
【００５０】
ミストシャワー３６は、左右対称に５組１０個取り付けられている噴霧ノズルで構成され、第１の実施例で述べた噴霧ノズル８を用いている。５組の噴霧ノズルのうち、本体上部に取り付けられた１組の噴霧ノズル４５は肩部に、本体中央に設けられた噴霧ノズル４６は背中から腰部に噴霧を行う。また、シャワー装置本体２８に摺動自在に取り付けられているアーム部４７には、人体の首から下に噴霧を行う噴霧ノズル４８が３組設けられている。そして、噴霧ノズル４５、４６、４８から噴霧される霧状の混合湯が首から下の体全体を包み込むようになっている。また、噴霧ノズル４５、４６、４８は、図１４に示すように人体の体格に応じてノズル噴霧方向を調節できるようになっている。
【００５１】
上記した構成において、本実施例の作用を説明する。
【００５２】
ハンドシャワーを使用する場合、まず流量設定手段３７をハンドシャワー側に回転し、切替弁３４を開成する。切替弁３４が開成されると給湯管３０と給水管３１から湯水が供給され、供給された湯水は温度設定手段３３によって設定された温度となるように混合弁３２により混合される。混合湯は開成された切替弁３４を経て、ハンドシャワー３５に至る。
【００５３】
着座して浴びるミストシャワー３６を使用する場合、シャワー装置本体２８に収納されている椅子２９およびアーム４７を図１１で示すようにセットする。流量設定手段３７により切替弁３４をミストシャワー３６側に開成する。混合弁３２により混合された混合湯は、切替弁３４を経てハイカット弁に至る。
【００５４】
このとき、混合弁３２の供給温度に応じてハイカット弁３８は駆動する。すなわち、混合弁３２が故障したり、オーバーシュートが発生した場合など、混合湯が５０℃以上となると形状記憶ばね３９の付勢力が増加し、弁体４１を右方向に移動するため、高温の混合湯が流出口４３から高温排水口４４に切り替わり、ミストシャワー３６から高温の混合湯が噴霧されないようになっている。
【００５５】
噴霧ノズル４５、４６、４８は、実施例１で記載した噴霧ノズルであり、流入した混合湯を霧状の噴霧とし、均等に、かつ、広範囲に噴霧する。１０個のノズルから噴霧される混合湯は、着座している使用者の体全体を包み込み、体表面に混合湯の層を形成するので、あたかも入浴したような暖まり感を得ることができる。噴霧ノズル４５、４６、４８は噴霧方向を調節可能となっているとともに、アーム４７も可動自在となっており、使用者の体格に応じて噴霧を体全体に浴びることができるようになっている。
【００５６】
ミストシャワー３６を浴びる際に、噴霧が体全体を包み込み、入浴した際のような暖まり感を得るには、噴霧ノズル４５、４６、４８の噴霧角度は少なくとも３０°以上、好ましくは４０°以上でなければ、噴霧ノズルがさらに必要となる。また、暖まり感を得るために必要な最低混合湯流量が５〜６l／ｍｉｎである。
【００５７】
噴霧ノズル４５、４６、４８の混合湯圧力と噴霧角度との関係を図１５に示すが、４０°以上の噴霧角度を得るのに０．３ｋｇ／ｃｍ^２以上の混合湯圧力でよい。
【００５８】
また、噴霧ノズル４５、４６、４８はノズル内での混合湯の旋回力が大きいため、上記した圧力で混合湯の噴霧粒子を小さくでき、好適な使用感を得ることができる。すなわち、シャワー装置２６は、噴霧ノズル４５、４６、４８の必要混合湯圧力が低いため、一般家庭の給水および給湯元圧で体全体を小さい霧状の噴霧で包み込むことができ、加圧ポンプなどの給水または給湯加圧装置を必要としない。
【００５９】
上記シャワー装置２６によれば、低圧で噴霧角度が広範囲であり、噴霧粒子が小さく、均等に噴霧可能な複数の噴霧ノズル４５、４６、４８を設けた構成としているので、噴霧が体全体を包み込み、入浴した際のような暖まり感を得るために必要なシャワー装置２６への給水圧および給湯圧を低減でき、一般家庭においても加圧装置等を使用する必要がない。
【００６０】
また、低圧の混合湯で暖まり感を得ることができる、すなわち、流量感を得ることができるので、使用する混合湯量が低減でき、経済的であるという効果もある。
【００６１】
加えて、椅子２９に着座した姿勢で、ミストシャワー３６の噴霧ノズル４５、４６、４８から体全体を包み込み、あたかも入浴したような暖まり感を得ることができるので、入浴した際のように水圧が体にかかることがなく、体への負担を軽減できるという効果もある。特に、体への負担が低減していることから、近年増加している高齢者や障害者の入浴時の事故を防止することができる。
【００６２】
なお、本実施例ではシャワー装置２６に第１の実施例で述べた噴霧ノズル４５、４６、４８を使用しているが、第２の実施例中に記載した噴霧ノズルを用いても、同様の効果を得ることができる。
【００６３】
また、第１の実施例で述べた噴霧ノズル４５、４６、４８のかわりに、第３の実施例で記載した噴霧角度を調節可能な噴霧ノズルを使用すれば、体格の差に応じて噴霧の範囲を調節でき、より好適にミストシャワー２６を使用できる。
【００６４】
また、本実施例では複数のノズルを同一のノズルで構成しているが、肩、背中、腰に噴霧を行う噴霧ノズル４５、４６を第３の実施例で記載した噴霧ノズルとし、局所的に直噴を当てることを可能とすれば、必要に応じて腰痛や肩こり等へのマッサージ効果も得ることができる。
【００６５】
また、本実施例において、十分な給水および給湯圧が可能であれば、旋回部である旋回孔１２が３カ所ではなく、２カ所または４カ所としても、同様の効果を得ることができる。
【００６６】
【発明の効果】
以上のように本発明のシャワー装置は、座った状態で噴霧が体全体を包み込み暖まり感を得るミストシャワーでリラックスできるとともに、切替弁で切り替えてハンドシャワーを使用することができる。
【００６７】
また、シャワー装置本体に切替弁を操作する流量設定手段を設ければ、シャワー装置本体に設けられた流量設定手段の操作によって、使用者はミストシャワーとハンドシャワーを切り替えることができる。
【００６８】
また、切替弁が閉止機能をもつものであれば、切替弁一つでハンドシャワーおよびミストシャワーの流量調節と閉止および切り替えができる。
【００６９】
また、切替弁の上流に温度設定手段によって設定された温度となるように湯と水を混合する混合弁を設けておけば、噴霧温度を好みに設定できるので使用者の好みに応じたミストシャワー入浴を実現できる。
【００７０】
また、切替弁を操作する流量設定手段と混合弁の温度設定手段を、シャワー装置本体に設けておけば、ミストシャワーとハンドシャワーの切り替えおよび温度設定などの操作を分かり易くできる。
【図面の簡単な説明】
【図１】 本発明の第１の実施例における噴霧ノズルの断面図
【図２】 同噴霧ノズルの旋回チップの外観図
【図３】 同噴霧ノズルの旋回チップの部分断面図
【図４】 （ａ）本発明の第１の実施例における噴霧ノズルの噴霧分布を示す説明図
（ｂ）同実施例における他の噴霧ノズルの噴霧分布を示す説明図
（ｃ）同実施例における他の噴霧ノズルの噴霧分布を示す説明図
【図５】 同実施例における噴霧ノズルの圧力―流量特性図
【図６】 本発明の第２の実施例の噴霧ノズルの断面図
【図７】 同噴霧ノズルの旋回チップの外観図
【図８】 本発明の第３の実施例の噴霧ノズルの断面図
【図９】 同噴霧ノズルの孔距離―噴霧角度特性図
【図１０】 同噴霧ノズルの動作説明図
【図１１】 本発明の第４の実施例のシャワー装置の外観図
【図１２】 同シャワー装置の給水給湯系路ブロック図
【図１３】 同シャワー装置のハイカット弁の構成図
【図１４】 同シャワー装置の噴霧ノズルの断面図
【図１５】 従来の噴霧ノズルの断面図
【図１６】 同噴霧ノズルの部分拡大断面図
【符号の説明】
２８ シャワー装置本体
２９ 椅子（着座手段）
３６ ミストシャワー
４５ 噴霧ノズル
４６ 噴霧ノズル
４８ 噴霧ノズル[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a shower apparatus using a spray nozzle in the form of a mist of fluid.
[0002]
[Prior art]
Conventionally, there has been a spray nozzle as shown in FIG. 15 used in a shower device .
[0003]
In FIG. 15, the nozzle body 1 has an inlet 2 into which a fluid flows, a swivel unit 3 that swirls the fluid that flows in, a swirl chamber 4 that is provided so that the fluid is swirled sufficiently, and a swirled fluid. A jet hole 4 for jetting is provided. The fluid flowing in from the inflow port 2 flows into the two swirl inflow passages 6 of the swivel unit 3 shown in FIG. 16, becomes an angle flow of the swirl inflow passage 6, and is opened to the swirl chamber 4 at a predetermined angle. Each swirl hole 7 reaches the swirl chamber 4. The fluid flowing out from the two swirl holes 7 becomes a swirl flow in the swirl chamber 6 and is ejected from the ejection holes 5. At this time, the fluid is a swirling flow and, unlike a fluid jet without a swirling flow, has an angular momentum, and therefore, when ejected from the ejection hole 5, it spreads in the radial direction. Therefore, the spray angle of the nozzle is increased, and the jet becomes mist-like.
[0004]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, since the conventional spray nozzle is provided with only two swirl holes 7 in the swivel unit 3, the swirl force of the fluid cannot be sufficiently obtained, the spray angle becomes small, and the size of the spray particles becomes coarse. There was a problem that it would end up. In particular, when used at a low pressure such as in a general home, since the swirl force of the fluid is further reduced, it is difficult to realize a nozzle having a small spray particle and a large spray angle with the conventional nozzle .
[0005]
Accordingly, there has been a demand for further improvement as a recent shower bath device that wraps the whole body with spray particles of hot water .
[0006]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
The shower device of the present invention is a seating means on which a bather sits, a shower device body which is located on both sides of the seated bather and which is provided with a vertically movable arm, and a hand shower different from the shower device body And a switching valve that switches the supply of hot water to either the shower device main body or the hand shower, and each arm has a spray nozzle for spraying the hot water fed into the arm via the switching valve. A plurality of these spray nozzles are provided with three inclined swirling portions in the passage leading to the hot water ejection hole, and the hot water is swirled and sprayed from the ejection hole .
[0007]
Therefore, while the user is sitting, the spray can wrap around the entire body and relax with a mist shower that gives a warm feeling, and can also use the hand shower by switching with the switching valve.
[0008]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
The shower device of the present invention is a seating means on which a bather sits, a shower device body which is located on both sides of the seated bather and which is provided with a vertically movable arm, and a hand shower different from the shower device body And a switching valve that switches the supply of hot water to either the shower device main body or the hand shower, and each arm has a spray nozzle for spraying the hot water fed into the arm via the switching valve. A plurality of these spray nozzles are provided with three inclined swirling portions in the passage leading to the hot water ejection hole, and the hot water is swirled and sprayed from the ejection hole .
[0009]
And according to the said invention, while a user is sitting, spray can wrap the whole body and can relax by the mist shower which obtains a feeling of warmth, and can use a hand shower by switching with a switching valve.
[0010]
The shower device of the present invention is provided with a flow rate setting means for operating the switching valve in the shower device body, and the user operates a mist shower and a hand shower by operating the flow rate setting means provided in the shower device body. Can be switched.
[0011]
In the shower device of the present invention, the switching valve has a closing function, and the flow rate of the hand shower and the mist shower can be adjusted, closed, and switched with a single switching valve.
[0012]
The shower device of the present invention is provided with a mixing valve for mixing hot water and water so that the temperature set by the temperature setting means is provided upstream of the switching valve, and can be used because the spraying temperature can be set as desired. Mist shower bathing can be realized according to the preference of the person.
[0013]
Moreover, the shower apparatus of this invention provides the flow volume setting means which operates a switching valve, and the temperature setting means of a mixing valve in the shower apparatus main body.
[0014]
The flow rate setting means for operating the switching valve is provided at a higher position than the temperature setting means.
[0015]
A hand shower is provided near the height of the seating means.
[0016]
Further, the hand shower is provided at a height lower than the flow rate setting means of the switching valve.
[0017]
Therefore, by providing the operation unit for operating the switching valve and the temperature setting means for the mixing valve in the shower apparatus main body, operations such as switching between the mist shower and the hand shower and setting the temperature can be easily understood.
[0018]
First, the injection nozzle will be described.
[0019]
Example 1
In FIG. 1, the nozzle body 8 is provided with an inflow port 9 and an inflow path 10 through which fluid flows. Reference numeral 11 denotes a swivel tip for swirling the fluid flowing in from the inflow path 10. As shown in FIG. 2, swivel holes 12 that are three swivel portions on the same circumference and a center hole 13 at the approximate center of the swivel hole. Is provided. The three swirl holes 12 are provided to have the same opening area and to divide the circumference into three equal parts so that the swirl flows coming out of the swirl holes 12 are equal.
[0020]
The swivel hole 12 has an elongated shape with the circumference where the three swivel holes 12 are provided as the central axis in order to increase the opening area and increase the swivel force. FIG. 3 is a partial cross-sectional view of the swirl hole 12, and the swirl holes 12 at three positions are angled so as to swirl the fluid that has flowed. The center hole 13 forms a central flow of the swirl flow from the swirl hole 12. The convex portion 14 is provided on the swivel tip 11, reduces pressure loss when the fluid flows into the swivel hole 12, and suppresses flow disturbance.
[0021]
Reference numeral 15 denotes a swirl chamber provided downstream of the swirl tip 11 and in which the swirl flows swirled in the swirl hole 12 are confused, and the swirl flow is stabilized. The swirl chamber 15 is composed of a swirl tip 11 and a nozzle cap 17 provided with an ejection hole 16 for ejecting the swirled fluid. The ejection hole 16 is provided with a chamfered portion 18 of 60 ° on the fluid inflow side so that the swirl flow smoothly flows into the ejection hole 15. Here, the ejection hole 16 is formed on substantially the same axis as the center hole 13 of the swivel tip 11, and is configured such that the center axis flow from the center hole 13 is ejected as it is.
[0022]
The turning tip 11 is a resin molded product. Therefore, the inflow side opening 12a and the outflow side opening 12b of the swivel hole 12 are connected at 30 ° and are configured to overlap as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, so that resin molding can be easily performed. It has become.
The operation of the present embodiment with the above configuration will be described.
[0023]
The fluid flowing in from the inflow hole 9 reaches the swivel tip 11 through the inflow path 10. In the swivel tip 11, the fluid is divided into the flow paths of the three swivel holes 12 and the center hole 13 by the opening area ratio. Here, the convex part 14 is provided with a predetermined angle so as to suppress the disturbance of the fluid entering the swirl hole 12 as much as possible, so that the swirl of the swirl flow formed by the swirl part 12 does not occur. . The fluid that has entered the swirl hole 12 becomes a swirl flow having a swirl force and reaches the swirl chamber. In the swirl chamber 15, the swirl flow from the swirl hole 12 is swirled and mixed around the axial flow formed from the center hole 13 to the ejection hole 16 to be a stable swirl flow. A swirling flow having an axial flow is ejected from the ejection hole 16.
[0024]
The distribution of the jet (spray) from the spray nozzle at this time is shown in FIG. The distribution shown in FIG. 4 (a) shows that the spray nozzle is directed vertically downward, and after setting a plurality of cells at a position 250 mm from the tip of the spray nozzle, the water level of the cell with the highest fluid water level reaches a predetermined height. The fluid is sprayed (hereinafter, the jet distribution measured by this method is referred to as a spray distribution). Moreover, the spray distribution when the number of swirl holes is 2 and 4 is shown in FIGS. 4 (b) and 4 (c). When this spray distribution is digitized, it becomes as shown in (Table 1).
[0025]
[Table 1]

[0026]
As shown in FIG. 4A, the spray angle is an angle when cells at both ends in the spray distribution and the ejection holes 16 are connected by a straight line. The spray angle is the largest when the swirl holes 12 are three places. If the swirl force of the fluid is large, the spray angle becomes large. Thus, it can be seen that the swirl force is large when the number of the swirl holes 12 is three, and the swirl flow in the swirl chamber 15 is most stable. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 5, the pressure loss of the spray nozzle is smallest when the number of the swirl holes 12 is three.
[0027]
Further, when there are three swirl holes 12, the swirl flow in the swirl chamber 15 is stable and the disturbance of the central axis flow is small, so that the spray distribution is more uniform.
[0028]
According to the first embodiment of the present invention, the three swirl holes 12 are provided, the swirl flow is stabilized in the swirl chamber 15, and the swirl force of the fluid does not decrease, so that the spray angle increases. Both have the effect of reducing the pressure loss of the spray nozzle.
[0029]
Further, a central hole is provided at the center of the three swirl holes 12, and a central axis flow is formed in the swirl flow in the swirl chamber 15, and the balance between the swirl component and the straight component of the swirl flow at the ejection hole 16 is achieved. Therefore, there is an effect that a uniform spray distribution can be realized over a wide range.
[0030]
Furthermore, since the inflow side opening 12a and the outflow side opening 12b of the swivel hole 12 are configured to overlap, resin molding can be easily performed, and the cost of the spray nozzle can be reduced.
[0031]
In this embodiment, the inflow side opening 12a and the outflow side opening 12b of the swivel hole 12 are connected at an angle of 30 °. This angle is 15 ° to 60 ° in consideration of the swivel force. It is desirable.
[0032]
Further, the chamfered portion 18 is set to 60 ° at which the spray angle becomes the largest, but if it is in the range of 30 ° to 70 °, the swirling flow is hardly disturbed and a sufficient spray angle can be obtained.
[0033]
(Example 2)
Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS.
[0034]
FIG. 6 is a sectional view of the spray nozzle of the second embodiment, and FIG. 7 is an external view of the swivel tip 11. The second embodiment is different from the first embodiment in that the center hole 13 is not provided at the center of the three turning holes 12 of the turning tip 11.
[0035]
In the above configuration, only the operation different from that of the first embodiment will be described. The fluid that has flowed in reaches the swivel tip 11 and is evenly divided into the three swirl holes 12. The center axis flow of the fluid is not formed, but if the previous flow rate is the same flow rate, the generated swirl force increases as the swirl flow rate increases. Therefore, the swirl force of the jet passing through the ejection hole 16 is increased, and the spray angle can be further increased with a low flow rate and a low pressure.
[0036]
If the chamfered portion 18 of the ejection hole 16 is not provided and there is no burr or the like on the inflow side of the ejection hole 16, a swirling axial flow is formed when the ejection hole 16 flows in, and the center of the spray increases. The spray distribution can be made uniform. Further, even in the configuration in which the center hole 13 side is provided as in the first embodiment, the center spray amount can be increased by the same action.
[0037]
Example 3
Next, only differences from the first embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. 8 according to the third embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view of the spray nozzle of the third embodiment.
[0038]
In FIG. 8, the nozzle body 19 is provided with an inlet 9 and an inflow path 10 through which a fluid flows, and on the outflow side of the inflow path 10, there are three swirl portions on the same circumference. A center hole 21 is provided substantially at the center of the hole 20 and the swivel hole. Further, the nozzle body 19 is screwed with a nozzle cap 21 provided with an ejection hole 16 for ejecting a fluid and a screw portion 22 which is a spray variable means. The distance of the hole 16 can be adjusted. A seal member 23 is provided at a fitting portion between the nozzle body 19 and the nozzle cap 21 to prevent fluid leakage from the screw portion 22.
[0039]
Reference numeral 24 denotes a swirl chamber that is provided on the downstream side of the swirl hole 20 and in which the swirl flows swirled in the swirl hole 20 are confused and stabilizes the swirl flow. In addition, the swirl chamber 15 is configured such that the swirl hole 20 side is larger than the circumferential diameter in which the swirl hole 20 is provided, and the ejection hole 16 side is smaller than the circumferential diameter in which the swirl hole 20 is disposed. . When the nozzle cap 21 is rotated and the distance between the swirl hole 20 and the ejection hole 16 is minimized, the swirl flow suppressing unit 25 abuts on the surface of the nozzle body 18 on the outflow side of the swirl hole 20 and swirls. The hole 20 is closed.
[0040]
In the above-described configuration, only the difference of the operation of the present embodiment from the first embodiment will be described.
[0041]
The fluid that has flowed into the swirl chamber 24 from the three swirl holes 20 becomes a swirl flow in the swirl chamber 24 and is ejected from the ejection holes 16. At this time, the turning force of the swirling flow reaching the ejection hole 16 is affected by the distance between the turning hole 20 and the ejection hole 16. In other words, the spray angle ejected from the ejection hole 16 is adjusted by the screw portion 22 and the swirl hole 20 and the ejection hole 1.
6 and changes according to the distance. FIG. 9 shows the relationship between the spray angle and the distance between the swivel hole 20 and the ejection hole 16. In FIG. 9, the spray angle becomes the maximum at the distance where the turning force becomes the largest, and the spray angle becomes smaller as the adjustment amount from the distance becomes larger. When the distance between the swirl hole 20 and the ejection hole 16 is increased from the distance indicating the maximum spray angle, the swirl force is gradually attenuated and the spray angle is decreased. Further, when the distance between the swirl hole 20 and the ejection hole 16 is decreased from the distance indicating the maximum spray angle, the swirl flow is not sufficiently formed, and the spray angle is similarly decreased. Further, when the distance between the swirl hole 20 and the ejection hole 16 is decreased, the swirl flow restraining portion 25 is folded on the surface on the outflow side of the swirl hole 20 as shown in FIG. 10 and closes the swirl hole. Therefore, since the fluid flows into the swirl chamber 24 only from the center hole 21, no swirl flow is generated, and the jet flow is almost in a direct injection state.
[0042]
Further, when the turning force increases, the spray angle increases and the fluid spray particles also become smaller. When the turning force decreases, the spray angle becomes smaller and the fluid spray particles become larger.
[0043]
That is, since the distance between the swirl hole 20 and the ejection hole 16 can be adjusted by the screw portion 22 and the swirl flow suppressing portion 25 is provided and the swirl hole 20 can be closed, the local direct current jet flow and the spray angle are small. There is an effect that it is possible to freely select a jet according to a use situation, from a partial jet having a large particle and a jet having a large spray angle and a small spray particle.
[0044]
Next, a specific example using the spray nozzle of the above embodiment will be described in the following embodiment.
[0045]
Example 4
11 and 12, the shower device 26 is attached to a bathroom wall surface 27, and can be seated in a chair 29, which is a seating means that can be stored in the shower device body 28 in the bathroom, so that a shower can be taken. Yes.
[0046]
30 is a hot water supply pipe to which hot water is supplied, and 31 is a water supply pipe to which water is supplied. The hot water supply pipe 30 and the water supply pipe 31 communicate with the mixing valve 32, and the mixing valve 32 mixes hot water and water at the temperature set by the temperature setting means 33. The temperature setting means 33 is provided with a stopper (not shown) so that the set temperature does not exceed 50 ° C. so that the user does not accidentally bathe in hot water.
[0047]
The switching valve 34 switches the hot water mixed by the mixing valve 32 to the hand shower 35 and the mist shower 36 side, and closes the hot water, and the above-described operation is performed by the flow rate setting means 37.
[0048]
A high cut valve that prevents high-temperature mixed hot water from being supplied to the mist shower 36 side downstream of the switching valve 34 when high-temperature mixed hot water is supplied due to a malfunction or operation of the mixing valve 32. 38 is provided. As shown in FIG. 13, the high cut valve 38 urges the valve body 41 by a shape memory spring 39 and a bias spring 40 that are temperature sensing elements, so that the mixed hot water flows from an inlet 42 that communicates with the switching valve 34. It has become. Usually, the biasing force of the shape memory spring 39 is smaller than that of the bias spring 40, and the hot water is supplied from the outlet 43 to the mist shower 36 with the valve body 41 biased to the left side.
[0049]
When hot mixed hot water is supplied, the urging force of the shape memory spring 39 increases and becomes larger than the urging force of the bias spring 40, so that the valve body 41 is urged to the right side and hot water is discharged from the high temperature drain 44. Is drained.
[0050]
The mist shower 36 is composed of five spray nozzles attached symmetrically to the left and right, and uses the spray nozzle 8 described in the first embodiment. Of the five sets of spray nozzles, one set of spray nozzles 45 attached to the top of the main body sprays on the shoulder, and a spray nozzle 46 provided in the center of the main body sprays from the back to the waist. Further, the arm portion 47 slidably attached to the shower apparatus main body 28 is provided with three sets of spray nozzles 48 for spraying downward from the neck of the human body. And the mist-like mixed hot water sprayed from the spray nozzles 45, 46, and 48 wraps the whole body below the neck. Further, as shown in FIG. 14, the spray nozzles 45, 46, 48 can adjust the nozzle spray direction according to the physique of the human body.
[0051]
With the above-described configuration, the operation of this embodiment will be described.
[0052]
When using a hand shower, first, the flow rate setting means 37 is rotated to the hand shower side, and the switching valve 34 is opened. When the switching valve 34 is opened, hot water is supplied from the hot water supply pipe 30 and the water supply pipe 31, and the supplied hot water is mixed by the mixing valve 32 so as to have a temperature set by the temperature setting means 33. The mixed hot water reaches the hand shower 35 through the opened switching valve 34.
[0053]
When using the mist shower 36 that is seated and bathed, the chair 29 and the arm 47 housed in the shower device main body 28 are set as shown in FIG. The switching valve 34 is opened to the mist shower 36 side by the flow rate setting means 37. The hot water mixed by the mixing valve 32 reaches the high cut valve via the switching valve 34.
[0054]
At this time, the high cut valve 38 is driven according to the supply temperature of the mixing valve 32. That is, when the mixing hot water becomes 50 ° C. or higher, such as when the mixing valve 32 fails or overshoot occurs, the urging force of the shape memory spring 39 increases and the valve body 41 moves to the right. The mixed hot water is switched from the outlet 43 to the high temperature drain 44, so that the hot mixed hot water is not sprayed from the mist shower 36.
[0055]
The spray nozzles 45, 46, and 48 are the spray nozzles described in the first embodiment, and the mixed hot water that has flowed into the spray is sprayed in a uniform and wide range. The mixed hot water sprayed from the ten nozzles wraps the entire body of the user who is seated and forms a layer of the mixed hot water on the surface of the body, so that a warm feeling as if bathing can be obtained. The spray nozzles 45, 46, and 48 can adjust the spray direction, and the arm 47 is also movable, so that spray can be applied to the entire body according to the user's physique. .
[0056]
When the mist shower 36 is taken, the spray wraps the entire body, and in order to obtain a warm feeling as if bathing, the spray angle of the spray nozzles 45, 46, 48 is at least 30 ° or more, preferably 40 ° or more. If not, an additional spray nozzle is required. Moreover, the minimum mixed hot water flow rate required in order to obtain a warm feeling is 5-6 l / min.
[0057]
The relationship between the mixed hot water pressure of the spray nozzles 45, 46, and 48 and the spray angle is shown in FIG. 15, and a mixed hot water pressure of 0.3 kg / cm ² or more is sufficient to obtain a spray angle of 40 ° or more.
[0058]
Further, since the spray nozzles 45, 46, and 48 have a large swirl force of the mixed hot water in the nozzles, the spray particles of the mixed hot water can be made small by the above-described pressure, and a favorable feeling of use can be obtained. That is, since the required mixed hot water pressure of the spray nozzles 45, 46, and 48 is low, the shower device 26 can wrap the whole body with a small mist-like spray at the normal household water supply and hot water supply source pressure, etc. No need for water supply or hot water pressurization equipment.
[0059]
According to the shower device 26 , since the spray angle is wide, the spray angle is small, the spray particles are small, and a plurality of spray nozzles 45, 46, and 48 capable of spraying uniformly are provided, the spray wraps around the entire body. In addition, it is possible to reduce the water supply pressure and hot water supply pressure to the shower device 26 necessary for obtaining a warm feeling when bathing, and there is no need to use a pressurizing device or the like even in a general household.
[0060]
Moreover, since a warm feeling can be obtained with low-pressure mixed hot water, that is, a flow feeling can be obtained, the amount of mixed hot water to be used can be reduced, which is also economical.
[0061]
In addition, the whole body can be wrapped from the spray nozzles 45, 46, and 48 of the mist shower 36 in a posture seated on the chair 29, and a warm feeling as if taking a bath can be obtained. There is also an effect that the burden on the body can be reduced without being applied to the body. In particular, since the burden on the body is reduced, it is possible to prevent accidents during the bathing of elderly and disabled persons, which have been increasing in recent years.
[0062]
In this embodiment, the spray nozzles 45, 46, and 48 described in the first embodiment are used for the shower device 26. However, even if the spray nozzle described in the second embodiment is used, the same applies. An effect can be obtained.
[0063]
Moreover, if the spray nozzle which can adjust the spray angle described in the third embodiment is used in place of the spray nozzles 45, 46 and 48 described in the first embodiment, the spray nozzle can be adjusted according to the difference in physique. The range can be adjusted, and the mist shower 26 can be used more preferably.
[0064]
Further, in this embodiment, a plurality of nozzles are constituted by the same nozzle, but the spray nozzles 45 and 46 for spraying on the shoulder, back and waist are the spray nozzles described in the third embodiment, and locally. If direct injection can be applied, a massage effect for low back pain, stiff shoulders and the like can be obtained as required.
[0065]
In addition, in this embodiment, if sufficient water supply and hot water supply pressure is possible, the same effect can be obtained even if the swirl holes 12 as the swivel portions are not three but two or four.
[0066]
【The invention's effect】
As described above, the shower apparatus of the present invention can be relaxed with a mist shower that wraps the entire body and obtains a warm feeling while sitting , and can be switched with a switching valve to use a hand shower.
[0067]
If the flow rate setting means for operating the switching valve is provided in the shower device main body, the user can switch between the mist shower and the hand shower by operating the flow rate setting means provided in the shower device main body.
[0068]
If the switching valve has a closing function, the flow rate of the hand shower and mist shower can be adjusted, closed, and switched with a single switching valve.
[0069]
Also, if a mixing valve that mixes hot water and water so that the temperature set by the temperature setting means is provided upstream of the switching valve, the spraying temperature can be set as desired, so the mist shower according to the user's preference Bathing can be realized.
[0070]
Further, if the flow rate setting means for operating the switching valve and the temperature setting means for the mixing valve are provided in the shower apparatus body, operations such as switching between the mist shower and the hand shower and setting the temperature can be easily understood.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a sectional view of a spray nozzle in a first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is an external view of a swiveling tip of the spray nozzle. FIG. 3 is a partial sectional view of a swiveling tip of the spray nozzle. (a) Explanatory drawing which shows spray distribution of the spray nozzle in 1st Example of this invention (b) Explanatory drawing which shows spray distribution of the other spray nozzle in the same Example (c) Other spray nozzle of the same Example Explanatory diagram showing spray distribution [FIG. 5] Pressure-flow rate characteristic diagram of spray nozzle in the same embodiment [FIG. 6] Cross-sectional view of the spray nozzle of the second embodiment of the present invention [FIG. 7] Swivel tip of the spray nozzle FIG. 8 is a sectional view of a spray nozzle according to a third embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 9 is a hole distance-spray angle characteristic diagram of the spray nozzle. FIG. 10 is an operation explanatory diagram of the spray nozzle. ] External view of shower apparatus of fourth embodiment of the present invention [FIG. 12] Block diagram of the water supply / hot water system of the shower device [FIG. 13] Configuration diagram of the high cut valve of the shower device [FIG. 14] Cross-sectional view of the spray nozzle of the shower device [FIG. 15] Cross-sectional view of the conventional spray nozzle [FIG. Partial enlarged sectional view of the spray nozzle [Explanation of symbols]
28 Shower unit body 29 Chair (sitting means)
36 Mist shower 45 Spray nozzle 46 Spray nozzle 48 Spray nozzle

Claims (8)

The sitting means on which the bather sits, the shower device body provided on both sides of the seated bather and provided with a vertically movable arm, a hand shower different from the shower device body, and supply of hot water A switching valve for switching between the shower device main body and the hand shower is provided, and each arm is provided with a plurality of spray nozzles for spraying hot water fed into the arm via the switching valve. The nozzle has three inclined swivel portions in a passage leading to the hot water ejection hole, and the hot water is swirled and sprayed from the ejection hole .   The shower apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a flow rate setting means for operating the switching valve is provided in the shower apparatus body.   The shower device according to claim 2, wherein the switching valve has a closing function.   The shower apparatus according to claim 1, 2 or 3, wherein a mixing valve for mixing hot water and water so as to have a temperature set by the temperature setting means is provided upstream of the switching valve.   The shower apparatus according to claim 4, wherein a flow rate setting means for operating the switching valve and a temperature setting means for the mixing valve are provided in the shower apparatus body.   The shower apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the flow rate setting means for operating the switching valve is provided at a position higher than the temperature setting means.   The shower device according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the hand shower is installed at a height close to a height position of the seating means.   The shower apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the hand shower is installed at a height lower than a flow rate setting means for operating the switching valve.

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