JP4459520B2 - Switching valve and water purifier using the switching valve - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a switching valve that switches a supplied fluid in a plurality of flow paths and a water purifier using the switching valve, and more particularly to a faucet direct connection type switching valve and a water purifier using the switching valve. .
[0002]
[Prior art]
Conventionally, as a switching valve for switching a supplied fluid in a plurality of flow path directions, a fluid inlet is provided in the upper part, a plurality of outlets capable of communicating with the inlet are provided in the lower part, and the inlet and the flow are provided inside. A valve body having a flow path communicating with the outlet, a valve body provided in the valve body and capable of opening and closing each flow path, and a switching rotary shaft that is rotatably provided in the valve body and drives the valve body; There is a known one provided with a switching operation unit which is provided outside the valve body and rotates a switching rotation shaft.
[0003]
In the switching valve having such a configuration, a switching operation portion is provided on one side (right side toward the outside) of the valve body, and is connected directly or indirectly to one end portion of the switching rotating shaft (for example, , Patent Document 1), or a switching operation portion provided on the front side outside the valve body and directly or indirectly connected to one end of the switching rotation shaft (for example, see Patent Document 2). Yes, in any type of switching valve, the switching operation unit is operated, the switching rotating shaft is rotated to drive the valve body, and any flow path is opened, so that the inlet and the outlet are Can communicate with each other.
[0004]
[Patent Document 1]
JP-A-9-144913 (FIGS. 1, 2, and 5)
[Patent Document 2]
JP-A-11-216464 (FIGS. 1 and 2)
[0005]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, when the switching operation part is provided on one side (right side toward the right) of the valve body, the switching operation part is picked up by the hand to perform the switching operation. However, when the hand is blocked (for example, when using a knife) Etc.), it was difficult to pick and lift the switching operation part.
[0006]
In addition, since the switch operating part provided on the front side of the valve body has a ratchet mechanism, it can be switched only by pressing the switch operating part from above, but the lever is always in the original position. Since it is configured to return, it is impossible to determine what water discharge state is currently in just by looking at the switching operation unit. Even if this drawback is compensated by a separate switching display unit, in the case of two-stage switching with a ratchet type, the next switching state is always the desired switching state, but when three-stage switching is attempted, for example, the water discharge state is In the case of A, B, C three-stage switching (A->B->C->A-> Repeat), if you try to switch from the A state to the C state, you must always go through the unnecessary B state. It can be annoying when working in a busy kitchen.
[0007]
The present invention has been made in view of the conventional problems as described above, and is easy to use according to the state of the user in the kitchen, and the switching state can be understood by simply looking at the switching operation unit. It aims at providing the switching valve which has the switching operation part excellent in operativity, and the water purifier using the same.
[0008]
The present invention has been made in view of the above-described conventional problems, and has a switching operation unit that is easy to use according to the state of the user in the kitchen and that is not easily disturbed in terms of vision and work. The object is to provide a switching valve and a water purifier using the switching valve.
[0009]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
The present invention employs the following means in order to solve the above problems. That is, the invention according to claim 1 includes a valve body, a switching rotation shaft provided inside the valve body, and a switching operation unit provided outside the valve body, and the switching operation unit includes: one end of the switching rotary shaft rotatably mounted a said changeover switching rotary shaft integrally, switching the rotation axis by operation of the switching operation part is the Rukoto to reciprocating rotational movement within a total rotation angle of 180 °, supplies A switching valve capable of switching the fluid to be performed in a plurality of flow path directions,
The back side of the switching rotation shaft on the upper surface side of the switching operation portion is an operation portion formed on an inclined surface or a curved surface upward toward the back, and the switching rotation shaft on the upper surface side of the switching operation portion. The near side is an operation part formed on an inclined surface or a curved surface facing downward toward the front,
Operating portion of the upper surface side of the switching operation unit is characterized that you have located above the center of the switching rotary shaft.
According to the switching valve of the present invention, when the operation unit on the upper surface side of the switching operation unit is operated, the switching rotation shaft rotates in one or the other within the predetermined angle range accordingly, and according to the rotation of the switching rotation shaft. The water discharge state corresponding to the flow path is obtained.
Further, since an upwardly inclined surface or curved surface is formed on the upper surface side of the switching operation portion, it is possible to prevent a finger from slipping when the operation portion on the back side is pushed downward.
Furthermore, since an inclined surface or curved surface facing downward is formed on the upper surface side of the switching operation portion, it is possible to prevent a finger from slipping when the operation portion on the near side is pushed downward.
In addition, since the operation unit on the upper surface side of the switching operation unit is located above the center of the switching rotation shaft, the water purifier main body does not get in the way when operating the switching operation unit. It becomes easy to do.
[0010]
The invention according to claim 2 is the switching valve according to claim 1, wherein the switching operation of the switching rotating shaft can be performed only by a force pushing the operation unit on the upper surface side of the switching operation unit vertically downward. It is characterized by being.
According to the switching valve of the present invention, when the upper or lower operation section on the upper surface side of the switching operation section is pushed downward in the vertical direction, the switching rotation shaft rotates in one or the other within the predetermined angle range accordingly. It moves, and it switches to the flow path according to rotation of the switching rotating shaft, and the water discharge state according to the flow path is obtained.
[0011]
The invention according to claim 3 is the switching valve according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that an operation portion is provided in a lower region sandwiching the switching rotation shaft on the lower surface side of the switching operation portion.
According to the switching valve of the present invention, when the lower operation portion on the lower surface side of the switching operation portion is flipped up, the switching rotation shaft rotates correspondingly to one or the other within the predetermined angle range, and the switching rotation shaft Is switched to a flow path corresponding to the rotation of the water, and a water discharge state corresponding to the flow path is obtained.
[0014]
The lower surface side of the operation unit of the switching operation part is desirably formed in an inverted U-shaped curved surface.
Since an inverted U-shaped curved surface to the lower surface side of the switching operation part is formed easily takes fingers, the fingers from slipping can be prevented when flipping up the switching operation part.
[0015]
When the operation unit on the upper surface side of the switching operation unit is entirely constituted by one surface, it is possible to operate the position freely to some extent.
Further, when the switching operation unit is made of a transparent body or a semi-transparent body, light at hand can be transmitted at the time of dishwashing or the like in the shower water discharge state, and workability at the time of dishwashing is improved.
[0018]
Water purifier of the present invention is characterized by comprising the above-described switching valve, the cartridge having a water purification function.
According to the water purifier according to the present invention, it is possible to discharge the purified water through the cartridge by operating the switching operation portion of the switching valve and switching the flow path for the purified water.
[0019]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Embodiments of the present invention will be described below.
1 to 7 show a first embodiment of a switching valve and a water purifier according to the present invention. This switching valve 11 is provided with a fluid inlet 13 at an upper central portion and a lower portion. A valve body 12 which is a water purifier main body provided with a plurality of fluid outlets 14, 15 and 16, and a switching rotary shaft 25 which is provided inside the valve body 12 so as to be capable of reciprocating and rotating within a predetermined angular range. And a switching operation unit 28 provided outside the valve body 12.
[0020]
An attachment portion 18 is provided at the center of the upper surface of the valve body 12, and the valve body 12 is attached to the faucet water spouting portion 36 via the attachment portion 18. As shown in FIG. 6, the mounting portion 18 is provided integrally with the central portion of the upper surface of the valve body 12, and has a cylindrical tube screw 19 in which a male screw is screwed on the outer peripheral surface, and a tube screw on the inner peripheral surface. An annular clamping ring 20 in which a female screw that matches the male screw 19 is screwed, an annular packing 21 fitted inside the tube screw 19, and between the clamping ring 20 and the tube screw 19. An adapter 22 to be mounted is provided, and the inlet 13 is located inside the tube screw 19. And the front-end | tip of the faucet water discharging part 36 is made to contact | abut on the upper surface side of the packing 21, and the fastening ring 20 is fastened to the pipe screw 19 in this state, Between the fastening ring 20 and the packing 21 via the adapter 22 The valve body 12 is attached to the distal end portion of the faucet water spouting portion 36 by sandwiching the distal end portion of the faucet water spouting portion 36 from above and below. In addition, 23 is a strainer for catching the rough waste contained in the raw water from the faucet water discharger 36.
[0021]
As shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, a raw water spout 14 that is an outlet is opened at the center of the lower surface of the valve body 12, and water or hot water from the faucet spout 36 is passed through the raw water spout 14. (Hereinafter referred to as raw water) flows out of the valve body 12.
[0022]
As shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, a plurality of shower spouts 15 serving as a plurality of outlets are opened around the entire periphery of the raw water spout 14 at the center of the lower surface of the valve body 12. The raw water from the faucet water discharger 36 flows out of the valve body 12 in the form of a shower through 15.
[0023]
As shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, a purified water outlet 16 that is an outlet is opened on the left side of the lower surface of the valve body 12, and the purified water filtered by the cartridge 2 described later through this purified water outlet 16 is the valve. It flows out of the body 12. A plurality of meshes 17 are attached to the purified water outlet 16 in a stacked state, and the purified water flowing out from the purified water outlet 16 is rectified by the mesh 17. In this case, the mesh 17 positioned at the lower end uses a convexly curved mesh in order to further enhance the rectifying effect.
[0024]
As shown in FIGS. 1, 3, 4, and 6, the leading ends of the raw water spout 14 and the purified water spout 16 are each formed in a shape that protrudes one step below the lower surface of the valve body 12. When the water purifier 1 is washed, the sewage dripping down the outer wall of the valve body 12 and the like is prevented from flowing into the raw water outlet 14 and the purified water outlet 16. Similarly, although not shown, the shower water outlet 15 may be formed in a shape protruding one step below the lower surface of the valve body 12, or an annular shape that protrudes downward around the shower water outlet 12. You may make it surround with a wall.
[0025]
As shown in FIG. 6, a switching rotary shaft 25 is provided inside the valve body 12 so as to be capable of reciprocating rotational movement. One end of the switching rotary shaft 25 protrudes outward from the right side surface of the valve body 12, and a switching operation portion 28 is integrally attached to the protruding portion by a screw 26, and is switched in conjunction with the operation of the switching operation portion 28. The rotating shaft 25 is configured to rotate. The switching operation unit 28 can be attached to and detached from the switching rotary shaft 25 by using a tool such as a screwdriver.
[0026]
As shown in FIG. 6, a steel ball 34 is provided in the switching operation portion 28 in a state of being biased toward the valve body 12 by a click spring 35, and the steel ball 34 is clicked toward the valve body 12. By pressing with the urging force of the spring 35, a click feeling is obtained when the switching operation unit 28 is operated. On the operation surface (surface) of the switching operation unit 28, a protrusion 31 for preventing slipping is provided.
[0027]
As shown in FIGS. 1, 3, 4, and 6, stoppers 32 and 33 are integrally provided on the right side portion of the valve body 12 located on the front side in the rotational direction of the switching operation unit 28. When a part of the switching operation unit 28 comes into contact with the stoppers 32 and 33, further rotation of the switching operation unit 28 is restricted.
[0028]
The switching operation unit 28 may be formed of a transparent body or a semi-transparent body, and may transmit light at hand during dishwashing in a shower water discharge state to improve workability during dishwashing.
[0029]
The material of the transparent or translucent body of the switching operation unit 28 is not particularly limited, and is a synthetic resin suitable for mass production, such as transparent ABS resin, polycarbonate resin, methacrylic resin, polypropylene, polystyrene, MS resin, transparent nylon resin, And poly-4-methylpentene-1. In the present embodiment, a transparent ABS resin is used from the viewpoint of mechanical strength, surface appearance, molding processability, and the like.
[0030]
The switching operation unit 28 can be replaced with one having a different shape and color. This makes it possible to easily increase variations as products according to individual user preferences.
[0031]
As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the switching operation unit 28 is provided with an operation unit 29 in both the upper region (B region) and the lower region (A region) on the upper surface side across the switching rotation shaft 25. In the inconvenient state with an object or the like, the switching operation can be performed by pressing the operation portion 29 vertically downward with a free finger or the back of the hand. As shown in FIGS. 3 and 5, the switching operation unit 28 is also provided with an operation unit 30 in a lower area (C region) on the lower surface side across the switching rotation shaft 25. Switching operation can be performed by flipping up. Of course, it is also possible to operate the switching operation unit 28 upward or downward by grasping between the operation unit 29 on the upper surface side and the operation unit 30 on the lower surface side.
[0032]
As shown in FIG. 3, the upper surface (B region) is formed as an upward inclined surface toward the back, and the lower region (A region) is inclined downward toward the front side of the upper surface side of the switching operation unit 28. Is formed. By adopting such a shape, when the operation unit 29 on the upper surface side of the switching operation unit 28 is operated from the near side, the finger can slide even if the operation direction is a direction that is pushed obliquely backward. There is nothing, and the operating force can be efficiently transmitted to the switching rotary shaft 25.
[0033]
The operation unit 29 on the upper surface side of the switching operation unit 28 is positioned above the center of the switching rotation shaft 25 in the vertical direction, as shown in FIGS. 1, 3, and 6. Accordingly, the valve body 12 does not get in the way when the switching operation unit 28 is operated, and the switching operation is facilitated.
[0034]
As shown in FIG. 2 and FIG. 3, the entire operation unit 29 is configured as a single surface on the upper surface side of the switching operation unit 28. Therefore, it is possible to manipulate a position that is somewhat free to about.
[0035]
As shown in FIG. 3, the operation unit 30 (C region) on the lower surface side of the switching operation unit 28 is formed in a concave shape in an inverted U shape. By adopting such a shape, it becomes easy for a finger to be applied, and the switching operation unit 28 can be flipped up without the finger slipping.
[0036]
As shown in FIG. 6, the portion of the switching rotary shaft 25 located between the inlet 13 of the valve body 12 and the outlets 14, 15, 16 communicates between the inlet 13 and the raw water outlet 14. A communication hole (not shown) which is a flow path to be communicated, a communication hole (not shown) which is a flow path to be communicated between the inlet 13 and the shower outlet 15, and between the inlet 13 and the purified water outlet 16. Each is provided with a communication hole (not shown) that is a flow path that communicates with each other.
[0037]
As shown in FIG. 6, a seat packing 27 is provided between the switching rotary shaft 25 and the valve body 12. The seat packing 27 corresponds to each communication hole of the switching rotary shaft 25. Each hole (not shown) is provided. Accordingly, the switching rotary shaft 25 is rotated by the operation of the switching operation unit 28 so that any one of the communication holes on the switching rotary shaft 25 side matches the corresponding hole on the sheet packing 27 side, thereby discharging water accordingly. A state (purified water, shower or raw water) is obtained.
[0038]
The switching rotation shaft 25 has a one-stage switching angle of 40 ° and a total rotation angle of 40 ° + 40 ° = 80 °, and is a three-stage switching of purified water, shower, and raw water. In this case, the switching angle of one stage of the switching rotation shaft 25 is not necessarily 40 ° and the total rotation angle is 80 °. However, when the switching operation from the front of the water purifier 1 is performed, each switching position Also, in order to distinguish clearly visually, it is preferable that the switching angle of one stage of the switching rotation shaft 25 is 30 ° to 90 ° and the total rotation angle is 60 ° to 180 °.
[0039]
In the present embodiment, since the switching is performed by the inclination of the switching operation unit 28, the current water discharge state can be easily grasped from the inclination state of the switching operation unit 28.
[0040]
As shown in FIGS. 1 to 7, the cartridge 2 includes a cartridge body 3 integrally connected to the back side of the valve body 12, and a filter medium 10 accommodated in the cartridge body 3. By screwing the cartridge body 3 to the valve body 12 side, the cartridge body 3 is integrally connected to the valve body 12 side. The interior of the cartridge body 3 communicates with the purified water discharge port 16 on the valve body 12 side via the communication path of the switching rotary shaft 25. And the water purifier 1 by this invention is comprised by this cartridge 2 and the switching valve 11 mentioned above.
[0041]
The type of the filter medium 10 is not particularly limited. However, when a filter such as a hollow fiber membrane is used, in order to be able to check the dirt from the outside, as shown in FIG. 2 and FIG. In addition, a viewing window 4 made of a transparent or semi-transparent material that can penetrate the inside of the cartridge body 3 may be provided.
[0042]
The material of the transparent or translucent body of the viewing window 4 is not particularly limited, and is a synthetic resin suitable for mass production, for example, transparent ABS resin, polycarbonate resin, methacrylic resin, polypropylene, polystyrene, MS resin, transparent nylon resin. , Poly-4-methylpentene-1 and the like. In the present embodiment, a transparent ABS resin is used from the viewpoint of mechanical strength, surface appearance, molding processability, and the like.
[0043]
As shown in FIGS. 2 and 7, a dial 5 is provided on the left side surface of the cartridge 2 to adjust the next cartridge 2 replacement time when the cartridge 2 is replaced. Has been. An elliptical recess 6 is provided on the surface of the dial 5 so that it can be easily rotated. A cartridge replacement time display window 7 made of a transparent or semi-transparent material that can penetrate the inside of the cartridge 2 is provided in the upper left of the upper surface of the cartridge 2, and is described on the side surface of the dial 5 by rotating the dial 5. The number of months displayed can be read through the cartridge replacement time display window 7. Therefore, by displaying the next replacement month when the cartridge 2 is replaced, it is possible to easily know the next replacement timing of the cartridge 2. The dial 5 is in contact with the valve body 12 inside, so that the number of months can be easily adjusted to the contact point, the dial 5 has a convex fitting portion 8 and the valve body 12 has a concave fitting portion 9. Since it is provided in 12 divisions corresponding to a month, it is difficult to display a halfway month.
[0044]
In the switching valve 11 and the water purifier 1 according to this embodiment configured as described above, the operation unit 29 is provided in both the upper region and the lower region on the upper surface side across the switching rotation shaft 25. In addition, since the operation unit 30 is provided in the lower area on the lower surface side across the switching rotary shaft 25, the operation unit 29 can be moved up regardless of the work state in the kitchen (when a finger is blocked). Therefore, the switching operation can be performed only by the force of pressing from the top and only by the force of raising. In addition, it is obvious from the inclination of the switching operation unit 28 what water discharge state is currently present. In addition, since there is nothing that obstructs the field of vision in the front, there is no visual hindrance when water is discharged from the water outlet between them, for example, when washing in a kitchen using a shower. Furthermore, workability | operativity can be improved by forming the switching operation part 28 with a transparent body or a semi-transparent body.
[0045]
【The invention's effect】
As described above, according to the switching valve and the water purifier according to the present invention, since the operation unit is provided in both the upper region and the lower region across the switching rotation shaft on the upper surface side of the switching operation unit, the kitchen. The switching operation can be performed only with the force of pushing the switching operation portion downward, regardless of the work state (when the finger is closed). In addition, since the operation area part is provided in the lower area across the switching rotation shaft on the lower surface side of the switching operation part, the switching operation part can be operated regardless of the work state in the kitchen (when a finger is blocked). Switching operation is possible by jumping up. Furthermore, it becomes clear at a glance what water discharge state is present from the inclination of the switching operation unit. Furthermore, since there is nothing that obstructs the field of view in the front, there is no visual obstacle when water is discharged from the water outlet, for example, when washing in a kitchen using a shower. Furthermore, workability | operativity can be improved more by forming a switching operation part with a transparent body or a semi-transparent body.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a front view showing an embodiment of a switching valve and a water purifier according to the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a plan view of FIG.
FIG. 3 is a right side view of FIG. 1;
FIG. 4 is a left side view of FIG.
FIG. 5 is a bottom view of FIG. 1;
6 is a longitudinal sectional view of the switching valve in FIG. 1. FIG.
7 is a cross-sectional view of the switching valve and cartridge of FIG. 1. FIG.
[Explanation of symbols]
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Water purifier 2 Cartridge 11 Switching valve 14 Raw | natural water discharging part 15 Shower discharging part 16 Purifying water discharging part 25 Switching rotating shaft 28 Switching operation part 29 Operation part (upper surface side)
30 Operation part (lower side)

Claims (6)

A valve body, a switching rotation shaft provided inside the valve body, and a switching operation portion provided outside the valve body, the switching operation portion at one end of the switching rotation shaft, Attached to the rotating shaft so as to be rotatable, the switching operating shaft reciprocates within a total rotation angle of 180 ° by the operation of the switching operation section, thereby switching the supplied fluid in a plurality of flow path directions. A possible switching valve,
The back side of the switching rotation shaft on the upper surface side of the switching operation portion is an operation portion formed on an inclined surface or a curved surface upward toward the back, and the switching rotation shaft on the upper surface side of the switching operation portion. The near side is an operation part formed on an inclined surface or a curved surface facing downward toward the front,
Operating portion of the upper surface side of the switching operation unit, the switching valve characterized that you have located above the center of the switching rotary shaft.   2. The switching valve according to claim 1, wherein the switching rotary shaft can be switched only by a force that pushes the operation portion on the upper surface side of the switching operation portion downward in the vertical direction. . 3. The switching valve according to claim 1, wherein the switching valve has an operation portion on a lower surface of the switching operation portion on the nearer side than the switching rotation shaft. A diverter valve according to claim 3, the operation portion of the lower surface of the switching operation part is switching valve, characterized in that it is formed in an inverted U-shaped curved surface. A diverter valve according to any one of claims 1 to 4, both operating portion of the upper surface of the switching operation part is switching valve, wherein a whole is composed of one face. A water purifier comprising the switching valve according to any one of claims 1 to 5 and a cartridge having a water purifying function.

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