JP5025309B2 - Faucet operating device - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a water faucet operation device capable of optionally setting a mounting direction without lowering a button cover made to serve as an operating force input section by self-weight with a push button placed in a pushing position even if the operation device is installed obliquely downward. <P>SOLUTION: In the water faucet operation device 294, every time a pressing force is applied to the push button 82 through the button cover 228, the push button 82 is moved between the pushing position and a projecting position, and stopped at each position by a locking mechanism. A claw 291 is formed on one of the button cover 228 and a cylindrical member 254, a latching hole 292 is formed at the other, and they are latched. Thereby, with the push button 82 located in the pushing position, the button cover 228 is prevented from being lowered by self-weight. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2009,JPO&amp;INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a faucet operating device, and more particularly, to a faucet operating device comprising a push button that moves between a pushing position and a protruding position, and a button cover that serves as an input portion for operating force.

Various types of faucet operating devices have been known in the past, but the applicant of the present patent application (Japanese Patent Application No. 2006-100501: unpublished) as a new faucet operating device is as follows. (B) The push button as the operation unit movable between the pushing position and the protruding position in the axial direction and (b) the push button are separated and separated from each other. A button cover that moves between a first position corresponding to the position and a second position corresponding to the protruding position, and serves as an input portion of a pressing operation force that covers the push button on the outside in the axial direction; and (c) a push button A main body that is movable between the pushing position and the protruding position, and the push button is moved between the pushing position and the protruding position each time a pushing force is applied to the push button via the button cover. Move to the pushing position and the protruding position by the lock mechanism. It has proposed an operating device of the faucet to stop.
FIG. 19 shows a specific example thereof.

  In the figure, 300 is a push button in the operation device 301, 302 is a main body portion of the operation device 301 that holds the push button 300 so as to be movable between an axial pushing position and a protruding position, and 304 is a push button 300. A button cover that is separate and separated and covers the push button 300 on the outside in the axial direction.

In this operation device 301, each time a downward pressing force is applied to the button cover 304, the push button 300 alternately moves between the pressing position shown in FIG. 19A and the protruding position protruding upward in the figure. And it stops in these pushing positions and protrusion positions by a lock mechanism.
In this example, water discharge is performed in a state where the push button 300 is in the pushed position, and water is stopped in a state where the push button 300 is in the protruding position.
The push button 300 also has a function as a rotation operation unit, and the flow rate of discharged water is adjusted by rotating the push button 300.

  The button cover 304 is a portion that becomes an operation force input unit only when the push button 300 is pushed in (the rotation operation force is input to the push button 300 by the rotary handle 306). Is fixed in the rotational direction and is movable only in the vertical direction in the figure.

  In this operation device 301, the button cover 304 has a second position corresponding to the protruding position of the push button 300, i.e., the figure, when the stopper 308 comes into contact with the stopper 310 on the rotary handle 306 side when the push button 300 is in the protruding position. The position is held at a position protruding upward in the drawing from the first position corresponding to the pushing position of the push button 300 shown in FIG. 19A (the button cover 304 also protrudes from the rotary handle 306 at this time). 19A, that is, when the button cover 304 is in the first position corresponding to the push-in position of the push button 300, the button cover 304 is free to move up and down in the drawing within the range until the stopper 308 hits the stopper 310. That is, it can move up and down.

  Therefore, when the operating device 301 is mounted downward on a horizontal surface, or a surface inclined at a predetermined angle from the horizontal angle to the vertical angle as shown in FIG. When attached downward, the button cover 304 is held at a first position corresponding to the push position of the push button 300 by its own weight when the push button 300 is in the push position.

  However, when the operating device 301 is mounted horizontally on a vertical surface, or is mounted slightly downward, a pressing force is applied to the button cover 304 to push the push button 300 into the pressed position. Even when it is stopped there, as shown in FIG. 19 (B), the button cover 304 is lowered by its own weight from the first position shown in FIG. 19 (A) (upper in the figure). (In the direction), there is a risk that the external handle protrudes from the rotary handle 306. In this case, the user erroneously recognizes the water discharge state even though the current faucet state is the water stop state. There is a risk of doing so.

Such a problem is not limited to the case where the push button 300 has a function as a rotation operation unit, and the push button 300 switches between water discharge and water stop by pushing and protruding, and the button cover is a push button. This is a problem that may occur in common in an operating device that is separate and separate, and in which a pressing force is applied to the push button via the button cover.
In addition, although there exist some which are disclosed by following patent document 1, patent document 2, and patent document 3 as a prior art considered to be related to this invention, these are different from this invention, and are different.
To the best of the applicant's knowledge, there is no prior art that is closer to the present invention than those disclosed in these patent documents.

Japanese Utility Model Publication No. 5-95784 Japanese Utility Model Publication No. 61-79077 Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 10-269887

  The present invention is based on the above circumstances, and even when the operating device is mounted sideways or downward, the button cover serving as the input portion of the operating force is lowered by its own weight when the pushbutton is in the pushing position. Therefore, it is an object of the present invention to provide a faucet operating device that can arbitrarily determine the direction of installation.

  Thus, according to the first aspect of the present invention, (a) a push button as an operation unit movable between the pushing position and the protruding position in the axial direction, and (b) the push button are separated and separated from each other. The push button moves between a first position corresponding to the push-in position of the push button and a second position corresponding to the protruding position, and serves as an input portion of a push-in operation force covering the push button on the outside in the axial direction. A button cover; and (c) a main body that holds the push button so as to be movable between the push-in position and the protruding position, and exerts a push force on the push button via the button cover. A faucet operating device in which the push button moves between the push-in position and the protruding position each time it is added, and stops at the push-in position and the protruding position by a lock mechanism, respectively, The claw part is on one side of the main body part, and the button cover is on the other side. A latching recess for elastically latching the claw portion in the push-out direction of the push button in a state in which it is pushed down to the first position is provided, and the claw portion and the latching recess are provided by the weight of the button cover. Then, the button cover is held in the first position without releasing the latch, and the latch is released by the pushing force of the push button, and the button cover is moved from the first position as the push button protrudes. The movement to the second position is allowed.

  According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the first aspect, the push button switches between water discharge and water stop by pressing and protruding.

  According to a third aspect of the present invention, in any one of the first and second aspects, the push button has a function as a rotation operation unit, while the button cover is provided in a fixed state in the rotation direction. And

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the third aspect of the present invention, the push button adjusts the water discharge flow rate by rotation .

Effects and effects of the invention

As described above, according to the first aspect of the present invention, the hook is elastically hooked with the claw portion on one side of the button cover and the main body portion and on the other side with the button cover being pushed to the first position. A locking recess is provided, and the pawl and the locking recess are held in the first position without releasing the locking by the weight of the button cover, and the locking is released by the push button protruding force. The button cover is allowed to move from the first position to the second position as the push button protrudes. According to the first aspect, the operating device is attached sideways, diagonally downward, or downward. Even when the push button is in the push-in position, it is possible to satisfactorily prevent the button cover from being lowered by its own weight from the corresponding first position to the second position on the protruding side. it can.
Therefore, the operating device according to the first aspect of the present invention removes the restriction on the mounting direction at the time of installation, and can be mounted in various directions.

Here, at least one of the claw portion and the latching recess portion can be provided with an elastic piece on at least one of the button cover and the main body portion and provided on the elastic piece.
Further, the push button can be switched between water discharge and water stop by pressing and protruding (claim 2).

  Further, the push button has a function as a rotation operation unit, and the button cover can be fixed in the rotation direction (Claim 3).

  In this way, when the push button has a function as a rotation operation unit and the button cover inputs only the pushing force and is fixed in the rotation direction, the push button and the button cover should be integrated. However, according to the present invention, the button cover is moved in the axial direction between the first position and the second position integrally with the push button push-in or protrusion, and the push button is in the push position. Sometimes the button cover can be held in a first position corresponding to this, and when the push button is in the protruding position, it can be held in a second position corresponding thereto.

In this third aspect, the push button can adjust the water discharge flow rate by rotation (claim 4) .

Next, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.
FIG. 1 shows the main part of a faucet that performs pilot water discharge and flow rate adjustment (flow control). In FIG. 1, reference numeral 10 denotes a body in the faucet, which forms a main water channel inside the faucet. A secondary inflow water channel 12 and a secondary outflow water channel 14 are formed.

In this embodiment, the entire valve mechanism is configured as a detachable valve cartridge 16 as a single unit. In the figure, reference numeral 18 denotes a cartridge case of the valve cartridge 16, which is divided into an upper part 18-1 and a lower part 18-2, and these are the later-described backs forming an intermediate part of the cartridge case 18. The pressure chamber forming member 54 is elastically connected.
The valve cartridge 16 is fixed in a state of being prevented from being pulled out by screwing a fixing nut 19 into the body 10 while being inserted into the body 10.

  In FIG. 1, reference numeral 20 denotes a main valve comprising a diaphragm valve provided on the main water channel. The main valve 20 comprises a resin-made hard main valve body 22 and a rubber diaphragm film 24 held thereby.

The main valve 20 moves back and forth in the vertical direction in the figure with respect to the main valve seat 25 to open and close the main water channel and to change the opening of the main water channel.
Specifically, the main water channel is blocked by sitting on the main valve seat 25, and the main water channel is opened by separating from the main valve seat 25 upward in the figure.
Moreover, the opening degree of the main water channel is changed in magnitude according to the distance from the main valve seat 25, and the flow rate of water flowing through the main water channel, that is, the flow rate from the water discharge portion is adjusted.

A back pressure chamber 26 is formed behind the upper side of the main valve 20 in the figure.
The back pressure chamber 26 causes the internal pressure to act on the main valve 20 as a pressing force in the downward valve closing direction in the figure.
The main valve 20 is provided with an introduction small hole 28 that passes through the main valve 20 and allows the primary inflow water passage 12 and the back pressure chamber 26 to communicate with each other.
The introduction small hole 28 leads the water from the inflow water channel 12 to the back pressure chamber 26 and increases the pressure of the back pressure chamber 26.

The main valve 20 is also provided with a pilot water channel 30 as a water drainage channel that passes through the main valve 20 and communicates the back pressure chamber 26 and the secondary outflow water channel 14.
The pilot water channel 30 draws the water in the back pressure chamber 26 to the outflow water channel 14 and reduces the pressure in the back pressure chamber 26.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the main valve 20 is provided with a through-hole penetrating in the axial direction at the center thereof, and serves as a discharge water pilot valve and a flow control pilot valve. The pilot water channel 30 is formed between the outer peripheral surface of the pilot valve 34 and the inner peripheral surface of the through hole.

As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the main valve 20 is integrally provided with a pilot valve seat 36 having an annular shape around the axis of the main valve 20 along the inner peripheral surface of the through hole. .
Reference numeral 38 denotes a seal portion in the pilot valve seat 36, which holds an O-ring 40 as an elastic seal ring having an annular shape inside the annular groove.

The pilot valve 34 is fitted to the pilot valve seat 36 so as to be movable back and forth in the vertical direction in the figure along the axis of the main valve 20.
Specifically, the pilot valve 34 has a circular cross section and has a seal portion 42 having the same outer diameter in the vertical direction in the drawing, that is, the forward and backward direction, and an annular recess 44 on the lower side (lower side in the drawing). Have.
Each end of the annular recess 44 in the axial direction is a tapered surface that gradually decreases in diameter toward the smallest diameter portion of the recess 44, and a stepped portion is provided at each end on the large diameter side of the tapered surface. 48 and 50 are formed.

FIG. 1 shows the state of the pilot valve 34 when the water is stopped. At this time, the pilot valve 34 has the seal portion 42 in the radial direction over the entire circumference with respect to the pilot valve seat 36 via the O-ring 40. It is in the state which made the elastic contact and sealed between the pilot valve 34 and the pilot valve seat 36 watertight.
At this time, the main valve 20 is seated on the main valve seat 25, and the main water channel is closed.

4 and 5 show the action at the time of flow adjustment (flow rate adjustment) by the movement of the pilot valve 34.
In this embodiment, the pilot valve 34 does not close the pilot water channel 30 during flow adjustment, and only the opening of the pilot water channel 30 is changed by the movement.
The amount of rotation operation with respect to the later-described rotating sleeve 84 is so regulated.

In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 4 (I), when the pilot valve 34 moves backward upward in the figure, the clearance between the pilot valve 34 and the pilot valve seat 36 becomes large, and the inside of the back pressure chamber 26 is increased. A large amount of water escapes to the outflow water channel 14 side through the pilot water channel 30, and the pressure in the back pressure chamber 26 decreases.
Therefore, the main valve 20 moves backward in the figure due to the pressure difference with the inflow water passage 12, and the pressure in the inflow water passage 12 and the pressure in the back pressure chamber 26 are balanced as shown in FIG. 4 (II). The backward movement of the main valve 20 stops at the position.
That is, the main valve 20 moves backward so as to follow the backward movement of the pilot valve 34, and the main valve 20 also stops when the pilot valve 34 stops.

  As the main valve 20 moves backward, the gap between the main valve 20 and the main valve seat 25 becomes large, and the amount of water flowing from the inflow water channel 12 into the outflow water channel 14 increases.

  When the pilot valve 34 is further moved backward in the figure from this state, the main valve 20 follows the backward movement of the pilot valve 34 so that the pressure in the back pressure chamber 26 and the pressure in the inflow water passage 12 are balanced. Then, it moves backward, further increasing the opening of the main water channel and increasing the flow rate of water flowing through the main water channel (see FIG. 4 (III)).

  On the other hand, when the pilot valve 34 moves forward downward in the drawing as shown in FIG. 5 (I), between the pilot valve 34 and the pilot valve seat 36, more specifically, the seal portion 42 and the pilot valve seat in the pilot valve 34. The clearance between the O-ring 40 and the O-ring 40 held by the pipe 36 is reduced, that is, the opening of the pilot water passage 30 is reduced, and the amount of water flowing from the back pressure chamber 26 to the outflow water passage 14 is reduced. The pressure increases.

For this reason, the main valve 20 moves forward downward in the figure due to the increased pressure, and stops at a position where the pressure of the back pressure chamber 26 and the pressure of the inflow water passage 12 are balanced.
At this time, the gap between the main valve 20 and the main valve seat 25 is reduced, that is, the opening of the main water passage is reduced, and the flow rate of water flowing through the main water passage is reduced (see FIG. 5 (II)).

  Then, when the pilot valve 34 further moves downward in the figure from this state, the opening of the main water channel is further reduced, and the flow rate of water flowing through the main water channel is further reduced (see FIG. 5 (III)).

In FIG. 1, reference numeral 54 denotes a back pressure chamber forming member having an inverted cup shape, and the back pressure chamber 26 is formed inside thereof.
The back pressure chamber forming member 54 also serves as a main valve presser.

The back pressure chamber forming member 54 holds an O-ring 52 as an annular seal ring having a pair of elasticity.
These O-rings 52 are in elastic contact with the outer peripheral surface of the first shaft portion 62 of the working shaft 60 described later over the entire circumference, and thus, between the first shaft portion 62 and the back pressure chamber forming member 54, that is, the back pressure chamber. 26 is sealed watertight.
An O-ring 56 is also held on the outer peripheral surface of the lower portion 18-2 of the cartridge case 18, and the space between the O-ring 56 and the body 10 is sealed in a watertight manner.

In FIG. 1, reference numeral 60 denotes a working shaft that causes the pilot valve 34 to act on the applied operating force. The working shaft 60 is a control shaft portion that extends in the axial direction with a uniform circular cross section and a uniform outer diameter. The first shaft portion 62 and the cylindrical second shaft portion 64 are divided into two in the axial direction.
The pilot valve 34 is integrally formed at the lower portion of the first shaft portion 62 serving as the control shaft portion in the figure.
The cylindrical second shaft portion 64 is provided with a female screw 66 on the inner peripheral surface thereof.

On the other hand, the first shaft portion 62 has a large-diameter head 68 that can be relatively moved three-dimensionally by a ball joint 67 at its upper end, and a male screw 70 is provided on the outer peripheral surface of the head 68. ing.
The male screw 70 of the first shaft portion 62 is screwed into the female screw 66 of the second shaft portion 64.

In the action shaft 60, the first shaft portion 62 moves forward and backward in the vertical direction in the drawing by the screw feeding action of the female screw 66 and the male screw 70.
That is, the entire working shaft 60 is expanded and contracted as a whole by the screw feed of the female screw 66 and the male screw 70.

The head 68 on the first shaft 62 side is formed with flat engaging surfaces 72 that are parallel to each other as shown in FIG. The sandwiching piece 74 is sandwiched, and the sandwiching action of these sandwiching pieces 74 prevents the first shaft portion 62 from rotating.
That is, the rotation preventing member 76 prevents the first shaft 62 from moving forward and backward in the figure by the rotation of the second shaft 64.
As the first shaft 62 moves forward and backward in the figure, the pilot valve 34 that is integrally formed on the tip side of the first shaft part 62 is integrally moved forward and backward in the figure, thereby the pilot valve. The position of 34 is changed in the same direction.

  Here, the rotation-preventing member 76 has a circular pedestal portion 78, and the pedestal portion 78 is fixed to the back pressure chamber forming member 54 below the pedestal portion 78.

In FIG. 1, reference numeral 80 denotes a drive mechanism for driving the first shaft portion 62 of the working shaft 60, that is, the pilot valve 34 integrally formed therewith, and a push button (driver) 82 having a bottomed cylindrical shape. And a rotating sleeve (locking portion) 84 and a rotor 86 constituting an element of a thrust lock mechanism (see FIG. 2).
The rotary sleeve 84 is a portion that adjusts the flow rate by moving the main valve 20 in accordance with the forward and backward movement of the pilot valve 34 as shown in FIGS. The button 82 is a part for switching the position of the pilot valve 34 between a valve closing position that is a forward position and a valve opening position that is a raised position for each depression.

As shown in FIG. 1, the lower portion of the rotary sleeve 84 is assembled to the upper portion 18-1 of the cartridge case 18 so as to be rotatable and fitted in a state of being secured.
The push button 82 is fitted in the rotary sleeve 84 and is movable in the axial direction, that is, in the vertical direction in the figure with respect to the rotary sleeve 84.
A vertical protrusion 87 (see FIG. 2) is provided on the outer peripheral surface of the push button 82, and the protrusion 87 is fitted into a vertical recess 88 on the inner surface of the rotary sleeve 84. Are rotated together with the rotation of the rotary sleeve 84.
That is, the rotational movement of the rotary sleeve 84 is transmitted to the push button 82.

The push button 82 also has a vertical recess 90 formed on the inner peripheral surface thereof, and a vertical protrusion provided on the outer peripheral surface of the second shaft portion 64 as a female screw member in the working shaft 60. The strips 91 are fitted, and the second shaft portion 64 rotates integrally with the push button 82.
That is, when the rotary sleeve 84 is rotated, the rotary motion is transmitted to the second shaft portion 64 via the push button 82, and the second shaft portion 64 rotates.
A guide protrusion 92 is provided on the outer peripheral surface of the push button 82.
The guide projection 92 is inserted into the insertion groove 94 of the rotary sleeve 84 to provide guidance when the push button 82 slides in the vertical direction.

At the lower end of the push button 82, as shown in FIG. 3, engaging teeth 96 having a mountain shape are continuously provided at a predetermined pitch along the circumferential direction.
On the lower surface of the engaging tooth 96, there is formed a drive cam surface 98 for rotating the rotor 86 directly below by a cam action by the vertical movement of the push button 82, that is, the downward forward movement and the upward backward movement. .

The rotor 86 is composed of a ring-shaped member, and engaging teeth 100 protruding upward in the figure in a mountain shape are provided at a plurality of circumferential positions (here, four positions).
In addition, an engagement tooth 102 having a sawtooth shape protruding outward is provided at the same position in the circumferential direction and is also provided upward.

The inner engagement tooth 100 has a first driven cam surface 104 corresponding to the drive cam surface 98 of the push button 82 on the upper surface along one oblique side.
Here, the inclination angle θ ₁ of the first driven cam surface 104 is the same as that of the drive cam surface 98 on the push button 82 side.

On the other hand also in the outside of the engaging teeth 102, the upper surface along its hypotenuse is the second driven cam surface 106 which is inclined at an angle theta _2.
In this embodiment, the first driven cam surface 104 Yes inclined angle so that different the second driven cam surface 106, the inclination angle theta ₂ of the second driven cam surface 106 forms the acute angle, the contrast 1 the inclination angle theta ₁ of the driven cam surface 104 is a small angle.

2 and 1, the lower surface of the rotor 86 is supported by the upper surface of the outward flange portion 108 of the second shaft portion 64. The upper surface of the flange portion 108 is shown in FIG. It rotates and slides in the direction indicated by the arrow.
As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the lower end of the flange portion 108 of the second shaft portion 64 is brought into contact with the upper end of a metal coil spring (biasing means) 110, and the coil spring ( An urging force by 110 (hereinafter simply referred to as a spring) is exerted upward with respect to the second shaft portion 64. That is, the urging force of the spring 110 in the backward direction is applied to the rotor 86 and the push button 82 via the second shaft portion 64 and to the first shaft portion 62 screwed to the second shaft portion 64. It is exerted upward.

As shown in detail in FIG. 3, the rotating sleeve 84 is provided with a guide portion 112 projecting inwardly on its upper inner peripheral surface.
The guide portion 112 has engaging teeth 114 at the lower end.
An inclined guide cam surface 116 corresponding to the second driven cam surface 106 of the rotor 86 for rotating the rotor 86 by cam action is also formed on the lower surface of the engagement tooth 114.
Here, the inclination angle of the guide cam surface 116 is the same as that of the second driven cam surface 106 of the rotor 86.
In the guide portion 112, the insertion grooves 94 extending in the vertical direction as described above are formed at predetermined intervals in the circumferential direction. When the rotor 86 is in a rotational position in which the engaging tooth 102 having an outward projecting shape is positioned in the insertion groove 94, the engaging tooth 102 is inserted into the insertion groove 94 to move upward in the figure. Backward movement is allowed.

On the other hand, the engaging tooth 114 engages with the engaging tooth 102 and holds and locks the engaging tooth in its advanced state, that is, the lowered state in the figure. That is, the pilot valve 34 is held and locked in the closed position.
In the present embodiment, the guide portion 112 shown in FIG. 3 and the rotating sleeve 84 having the guide portion 112, the push button 82 having the engaging teeth 96 and the drive cam surface 98 at the lower end, the rotor 86 directly below the push button 82, and these are directed upward. A thrust lock mechanism is constituted by a spring 110 or the like that biases the spring.

In this embodiment, a forced rotation ring 118 having a function of forcibly rotating the rotor 86 when the push button 82 is pushed is provided below the second shaft portion 64.
As shown in FIG. 1, the forced rotation ring 118 is placed on the pedestal portion 78 of the anti-rotation member 76.
The forced rotation ring 118 has a cylindrical shape as a whole, and an inward flange portion 120 is provided at the lower end thereof. The flange portion 120 and the outward flange portion of the second shaft portion 64 are provided. A spring 110 is interposed between the two and 108.

The forced rotation ring 118 also has a flange portion 120 serving as a slip washer. When the rotation sleeve 84 rotates, that is, when the second shaft portion 64 that rotates together with the rotation sleeve 84 rotates, the forced rotation ring 118 is also rotated. Prevents the spring 110 from being twisted and deformed as the second shaft portion 64 rotates by slipping on the pedestal portion 78 of the anti-rotation member 76.
As a result, the upward elastic force of the spring 110 can be applied with the set appropriate elastic force.

The forced rotation ring 118 is integrally provided with a plurality of claws 122 protruding upward at predetermined intervals in the circumferential direction along the upper end thereof. The upper surfaces of these claws 122 are inclined cam surfaces 124.
When a downward force is exerted on the rotor 86 by the push button 82, these cam surfaces 124 are formed on the corner portion 126 (see FIG. 3) on the lower surface of the second engaging tooth 102 having a protruding shape of the rotor 86. The rotor 86 abuts and forcibly rotates counterclockwise in FIG. 3 by its cam action.

  However, the rotor 86 is based on the biasing force of the spring 110 when its rotational resistance, that is, the sliding resistance of the second shaft portion 64 with respect to the upper surface of the flange portion 108 and the sliding resistance of the push button 82 with respect to the drive cam surface 98 is small. Then, before contacting the cam surface 124 of the forced rotation ring 118, the cam action of the drive cam surface 98 of the push button 82 and the first driven cam surface 104 of the rotor 86 causes the cam surface 124 of the forced rotation ring 118 to Rotate before touching.

However, when the rotor 86 is used for a long period of time, the sliding resistance gradually increases due to wear powder generated on the sliding surface.
Therefore, even if the push button 82 is pushed downward, the rotor 86 may not rotate lightly and smoothly.
At this time, even if the rotor 86 does not rotate smoothly, when the push button 82 is pushed down strongly, the corner portion 126 of the engaging tooth 102 of the rotor 86 is brought into contact with the cam surface 124 of the forced rotation ring 118. As a result, the rotor 86 is forcibly rotated by the cam surface 124 of the forced rotation ring 118.

In the present embodiment, when the push button 82 is rotated via the rotation sleeve 84, the second shaft portion 64 of the action shaft 60 is rotated integrally therewith, and the screw feed between the female screw 66 and the male screw 70 is caused by the rotation. Thus, the second shaft portion 62 of the working shaft 60, that is, the pilot valve 34 moves back and forth in the up and down direction in FIG. 1, thereby adjusting the flow rate.
On the other hand, when the push button 82 is pushed, as shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, the push button 82 moves to the push position (the state shown in FIG. 6) and the protruding position (the state shown in FIG. 7) for each push. At the same time, the pilot valve 34 is switched between the closed position shown in FIG. 6 and the open position shown in FIG. 7, and is held at the respective positions by the thrust lock mechanism. The

FIGS. 8 and 9 specifically illustrate the operation of the thrust lock mechanism that switches the position of the pilot valve 34 between the valve closing position and the valve opening position each time the push button 82 is pushed, and holds the position at each position. It represents.
FIG. 8I shows the closed state of the pilot valve 34, that is, the water stop state. At this time, the engagement teeth 102 of the rotor 86 are engaged with the engagement teeth 114 of the guide portion 112 of the rotation sleeve 84. Therefore, the rotor 86 is held in a locked state at the lowered position, that is, the forward position in FIG. That is, the pilot valve 34 is kept closed.
At this time, the push button 82 stops at the pushing position and is held at the pushing position by its own weight (when the push button 82 faces downward as shown in FIGS. 6 and 7).

In this state, as shown in (II), when the push button 82 is pushed downward in the figure, the rotor 86 is pushed downward against the upward biasing force of the spring 110, and the rotor 86 is engaged. The engagement between the teeth 102 and the engagement teeth 114 of the guide portion 112 is released.
Then, due to the cam action between the drive cam surface 98 of the push button 82 and the first driven cam surface 104 of the rotor 86, the rotor 86 is rotated by a predetermined angle in the left direction in the figure, and the engagement teeth 96 of the push button 82 are obtained. And the engagement tooth 100 of the rotor 86 are just stopped meshing with each other (first stopper position). FIGS. 8 (III) and 8 (A) show the state at this time.

  At this time, as shown in (III) and (B), the second driven cam surface 106 of the rotor 86 is opposed to the next guide cam surface 116 in the rotation direction of the guide portion 112, where (IV) When the pushing force applied to the rotor 86 is removed as shown in the drawing, the rotor 86 is lifted by a small distance together with the push button 82 and the second shaft portion 64, that is, the action shaft 60 by the biasing force of the spring 110. The second driven cam surface 106 of 102 abuts on the guide cam surface 116 of the guide portion 112.

Then, due to the cam action of the guide cam surface 116 and the second driven cam surface 106, the rotor 86 further rotates in the direction indicated by the arrow in the figure, and is engaged as shown in FIGS. 8 (V) and 8 (B). The tooth 102 reaches the position of the insertion groove 94 of the guide portion 112.
Here, when the engaging tooth 102 is fitted into the fitting groove 94, the rotor 86 is moved backward together with the push button 82 and the action shaft 60 by the biasing force of the spring 110 (FIG. 9 (VI)). 82 is protruded upward in the figure and held in its protruding position, and the pilot valve 34 is opened (water discharge state), and water flows in the main water channel. Water is discharged.

  When the push button 82 is pushed in again from this valve-opened state, the rotor 86 is lowered from the raised position, and when the engaging tooth 102 is removed from the fitting groove 94, the rotor 86 is moved to the drive cam surface 98 and the first driven cam. By the cam action with the surface 104, it rotates and moves in the arrow direction (left direction) in FIG. 9 (VII), and the engagement tooth 100 of the rotor 86 meshes with the next engagement tooth 96 in the rotation direction of the push button 82. Thus, the next one-pitch rotational motion of the rotor 86 is stopped there (FIG. 9 (VIII)).

When the pushing force on the push button 82 is removed in this state, the rotor 86 is lifted by a small distance from the lowest position by the biasing force of the spring 110, and the second driven cam surface 106 of the engaging tooth 102 guides the guide portion 112. The cam surface 116 comes into contact with the cam surface 116 (FIG. 9 (IX)), and further, the cam 86 causes the rotor 86 to continue to rotate in the left direction in the figure, so that the engaging teeth 102 of the rotor 86 are moved to the guide portion 112. The second engaging position 114 is engaged (second stopper position), and the rotation of the rotor 86 is stopped there (FIG. 9 (X)).
The state shown in FIG. 9 (X) is the same state as shown in FIG. 8 (I), and the water faucet is in a water stop state here.

10-17 has shown the operating device in this embodiment.
In the drawing, reference numeral 294 denotes an operating device, and the operating device 294 includes a rotary flow rate adjusting handle 224, a push button 82, and a button cover 228 that covers the push button 82 on the outside in the axial direction. Has been.
Here, the display 230 is provided on the upper surface of the button cover 228 as shown in FIG.
The button cover 228 is fixed in the rotational direction and can be moved only in the vertical direction in the figure.
In FIG. 10, the rotary flow rate adjusting handle 224 has a circular ring shape as a whole, and a knob 226 that protrudes outward is provided at a predetermined position in the circumferential direction.
The flow rate adjusting handle 224 has a slightly tapered shape as a whole.
Between the rotating sleeve 84 and the ring-shaped flow rate adjusting handle 224, an inner ring member 232 as an intermediate ring for transmitting an operating force and an outer ring member 234 are interposed.

As shown in FIGS. 11 and 12, the inner ring member 232 has a cylindrical shape, covers the rotating sleeve 84 downward from above, and is supported by the rotating sleeve 84 from below.
The inner ring member 232 is provided with a through-positioning hole 236 at a predetermined position in the circumferential direction, and a positioning protrusion 238 provided on the outer peripheral surface of the rotating sleeve 84 is fitted into the positioning hole 236. Yes. The inner ring member 232 rotates integrally with the rotating sleeve 84 by the engaging action of the positioning holes 236 and the positioning projections 238.
The inner ring member 232 is also provided with a positioning protrusion 240 that protrudes outward at a predetermined position in the circumferential direction of the outer peripheral surface thereof.

On the other hand, the outer ring member 234 includes a cylindrical portion 242, a flange portion 244, and an elastic claw 252 protruding downward as shown in FIG. 11.
As shown in FIG. 10, the outer ring member 234 is attached to a cylindrical member (a main body portion of the operating device 294) 254 serving as a support member.
Specifically, the elastic claw 252 is elastically hooked to the annular stepped portion 258 on the outer periphery of the upper end of the cylindrical member 254 so that the bottom portion 245 of FIG. 12 is seated on the flange portion 256 of the cylindrical member 254. In a supported state, the cylindrical member 254 is rotatably attached.
The cylindrical member 254 has a tongue-like fixing portion 260 at its lower end, and is fixed to the housing 166 so as to cover the upper portion of the fixing nut 168 and the housing 166 as shown in FIG. .

As shown in the partially enlarged view of FIG. 12, the outer ring member 234 has a pair of protrusions 246 and 248 that protrude inward at a predetermined position in the circumferential direction on the inner peripheral surface with a small interval therebetween. Is provided.
A positioning groove 250 is formed between the projections 246 and 248, and an outward positioning projection 240 of the inner ring member 232 is fitted therein as shown in FIG. As a result, the inner ring member 232 and the outer ring member 234 rotate together.
Here, one of the protrusions 246 is notched at the upper and lower intermediate portions, and the notches 249 divide the protrusion 246 into an upper protrusion 246-1 and a lower protrusion 246-2.

In FIG. 11, the outer ring member 234 is also provided with notches 262 for positioning on the flange portion 244 and elastic claws 264 standing upward at a plurality of positions in the circumferential direction at different positions.
Furthermore, the flange portion 244 is provided with a fitting guide 266 for the flow rate adjusting handle 224 having a slightly tapered shape so as to stand upward.

On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 11, the flow rate adjusting handle 224 elastically engages a rib 268 as a positioning protrusion fitted into the notch 262 of the outer ring member 234 and an upward elastic claw 264 on the inner peripheral surface of the ring. The latching protrusions 270 for making them are provided at a plurality of locations in the circumferential direction.
The flow rate adjusting handle 224 and the outer ring member 234 are integrally rotated by fitting the notch 262 of the outer ring member 234 and the rib 268 of the flow rate adjusting handle 224, and the upward elastic claw 264 of the outer ring member 234. And the latching projection 270 of the flow rate adjusting handle 224 are assembled in the vertical direction.
That is, the flow rate adjusting handle 224 is prevented from coming out upward in the figure by the latching action of the elastic claws 264 and the latching protrusion 270.

  As shown in FIGS. 12 and 13, the cylindrical member 254 as the support member is provided with an arcuate rising portion 272 that rises from the upper surface of the inward flange portion 256. A vertical positioning groove 274 is provided on the inner surface of the rising portion 272 at a circumferential intermediate position.

On the other hand, the button cover 228 is provided with an arc-shaped falling portion 276 that falls from the upper wall 282 as shown in FIG.
From the outer peripheral surface of the falling portion 276, there is provided a rotational positioning protrusion 278 that protrudes downward at an intermediate position in the circumferential direction. Here, the positioning protrusion 278 is an elastic piece that can be elastically deformed in the radial direction.
As shown in FIG. 14, the button cover 228 is assembled in a state in which the rising portion 272 and the falling portion 276 are fitted. The button cover 228 is positioned in the rotational direction by fitting the positioning groove 274 and the positioning protrusion 278. That is, the position of the button cover 228 is fixed in the rotational direction by the positioning action.

The button cover 228 is integrally formed with a stopper projection 280 projecting radially outward at the circumferential end of the falling portion 276 having an arc shape.
The stopper projection 280 defines the end position when the flow rate adjusting handle 224 is rotated to the small flow rate side.
More specifically, the projection 246 of the outer ring member 234 that rotates integrally with the flow rate adjusting handle 224, specifically, the upper projection 246-1 is brought into contact with the rotation direction, thereby restricting further rotation of the flow rate adjusting handle 224.
The stopper protrusion 280 also functions as a locking protrusion that locks the button cover 228 in a water-stopped state.

As described above, the position of the flow rate adjusting handle 224 is restricted to the minimum flow rate position when the upper projection 246-1 of the outer ring member 234 contacts the stopper projection 280 of the button cover 228. 14 and 15 (II) show the state at this time.
In this state, when the button cover 228 is pushed down as shown in (III), the button cover 228 is pushed down based on the engagement between a claw 291 and a latching hole (latching recess) 292 described later. The position is held at the position (first position).
At this time, the stopper protrusion 280 is also lowered downward from the position shown in FIG. 15 (II), more specifically, as shown in (III), between the upper protrusion 246-1 and the lower protrusion 246-2 in the protrusion 246. It will be in the state located in the same height position as the notch 249 (refer FIG. 15 (III) (B)).

In this state, the flow rate adjusting handle 224, specifically the outer ring member 234, can be further rotated in the counterclockwise direction.
Therefore, when the flow rate adjusting handle 224 is rotated by a small angle in the same direction, the stopper projection 280 enters the notch 249 between the upper projection 246-1 and the lower projection 246-2 as shown in (III). .
Under this state, even if a pressing force is applied to the push button 82 via the button cover 228 (on (open) operation), the contact action between the stopper protrusion 280 and the upper protrusion 246-1 causes The button cover 228 and the push button 82 cannot be moved upward, so that the push button 82 is held in the pushing position, that is, the water stop position via the button cover 228 and locked there.
As shown in FIG. 15 (III), the flow rate adjusting handle 224 is prevented from further rotation by the projection 246 coming into contact with the circumferential end of the arc-shaped rising portion 272 of the cylindrical member 254.

As shown in FIG. 13, the button cover 228 is provided with a circular pressing portion 284 protruding downward on the lower surface of the upper wall 282.
When a downward force is applied, the button cover 228 pushes the push button 82 downward by the pressing portion 284 and moves the pilot valve 34 integrally formed with the first shaft portion 62 downward.
The pushed button cover 228 is held in its depressed position (first position), that is, in the lowered position.

The button cover 228 is provided with an outward flange portion 286. The flange portion 286 is provided with elastic pieces 288 at a plurality of locations (here, 4 locations) in the circumferential direction. As shown in FIG. 10B, a pair of upward and downward projections 290 are provided at the respective distal ends of the elastic pieces 288.
Here, each protrusion 290 has a curved outer surface shape.
The flange 286 and the elastic piece 288, and the protrusion 290 provided at the tip thereof work as follows.

That is, when the button cover 228 is pushed downward in FIG. 10, the pushing end is defined by the flange portion 286 coming into contact with the flange portion 244 of the outer ring member 234.
At this time, the downward projection 290 provided at the tip of the elastic piece 288 quickly hits the flange portion 244 and the elastic piece 288 is elastically deformed, and the flange portion 286 of the button cover 228 and the flange portion of the outer ring member 234 Relieve the hit to 244. That is, buffer. This effectively reduces the sound generated when the button cover 228 is pushed.

On the other hand, when the pressing force is again applied to the button cover 228 to raise it, the flange portion 286 of the button cover 228 hits the inward flange portion 227 of the flow rate adjusting handle 224, and the rising end is defined.
Also at this time, the upward protrusion 290 of the elastic piece 288 of the button cover 228 quickly contacts the flange portion 227 of the flow rate adjusting handle 224, and the flange on the button cover 228 is based on the elastic deformation of the elastic piece 288 at that time. The contact of the portion 286 with the flange portion 227 of the flow rate adjusting handle 224 is softened, and the sound generated at that time is reduced.

The above operation device as a whole performs the following movement.
FIG. 15I shows a state where the flow rate adjustment handle 224 is rotated to the maximum flow rate. In this state, water is circulated through the main water channel at the maximum flow rate while the push button 82 is opened through the button cover 228.
When the flow rate adjusting handle 224 is rotated counterclockwise in the figure from this state, the protrusion 246 of the outer ring member 234 that rotates integrally with the flow rate adjusting handle 224 at the minimum flow rate position shown in FIG. The protrusion 246-1 comes into contact with the stopper protrusion 280 of the button cover 228, and further rotation is temporarily prevented.
In this state, if the button cover 228 is pushed down and held in the position, the flow rate adjusting handle 224 is allowed to be slightly further rotated at this point.
Therefore, when the flow rate adjusting handle 224 is further rotated counterclockwise, the protrusion 246 of the outer ring member 234 contacts the circumferential end of the rising portion 272 of the cylindrical member 254 when it is slightly rotated, and further rotation there. Is blocked.

In this state, the stopper protrusion 280 of the button cover 228 in the pressed position (first position) enters the notch 249 between the upper protrusion 246-1 and the lower protrusion 246-2 of the outer ring member 234. Thus, the movement is prohibited in the vertical direction.
That is, here, the push button 82 is locked via the button cover 228. Therefore, even if a pushing force is applied to the push button 82 via the button cover 228 in this state, the push button 82 does not move up, and therefore water discharge based on the rise of the push button 82 and the button cover 228 is not performed.

In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 13, a radially outward claw portion 291 is integrally formed at the distal end portion (lower end portion) of the positioning protrusion 278 forming the elastic piece of the button cover 228. .
On the other hand, the rising portion 272 of the cylindrical member 254 serving as the main body portion of the operating device 294 has a radial through-hole in the position where the positioning groove 274 is formed, that is, in the circumferential central portion of the rising portion 272. A latching recess) 292 is provided, and when a pressing force is applied to the button cover 228 to push it down in the figure, that is, the button cover 228 is in a first position corresponding to the pressing position of the push button 82. The claw part 291 is latched with respect to this latching hole 292 when it is located in this position.

Here, as shown in the partially enlarged view of FIG. 16, the claw portion 291 is formed with a latching surface 293 that latches upward in the drawing with respect to the latching hole 292, that is, in the protruding direction of the button cover 228. ing.
Here, the claw portion 291, specifically the latching surface 293, is shaped so that the button cover 228 does not unlock the latching hole 292 due to its own weight even when the operating device 294 of this embodiment is attached downward. Stipulated in
The shape of the claw portion 291 (specifically, the latching surface 293) is also set in advance so that the latching is released from the latching hole 292 by the projecting force when the push button 82 projects from the pushing position to the projecting position. It has been established.

  Therefore, in this embodiment, when a push force is applied to the button cover 228 and the push button 82 is positioned at the push position, that is, the button cover 228 is moved to the push-down position (first position) corresponding to the push position of the push button 82. When positioned, the claw portion 291 and the hooking hole 292 are hooked, and the button cover 228 is held in the pressed position by the hooking action (FIG. 17I).

That is, even when the operating device 294 is attached downward, there is no inconvenience that the button cover 228 is lowered by its own weight due to the hooking action of the claw portion 291 and the hooking hole 292.
In this embodiment, the push button 82 also has a possibility of dropping by its own weight when the operating device 294 is attached downward, but the button cover 228 based on the hooking of the claw portion 291 and the hooking hole 292 is also possible. Due to the position holding action, the push button 82 does not move down due to its own weight.

On the other hand, when a pressing force is again applied to the push button 82 via the button cover 228 in this state (FIG. 17 (II)), a protruding force is applied to the push button 82 based on the biasing force of the spring 110 here. .
At this time, the latching action of the claw portion 291 and the latching hole 292 is released, and the push button 82 is projected to the projecting position, and the button cover 228 is moved upward in the figure as the push button 82 projects. Pushed up.
Then, after the push-up, the push-up position, that is, the second position corresponding to the protruding position of the push button 82 is held (FIG. 17 (III)).
At this time, the position is maintained by the pushing force of the push button 82 and the contact between the flange 286 of the button cover 228 and the flange 227 of the flow rate adjusting handle 224.

When the push button 82 in the protruding position is applied with a pushing force via the button cover 228 to hold the push button 82 in the pushed position, the push button 82 is most downward in the drawing, as is apparent from the description of the lock mechanism. When it is slightly lifted from the pushed-in position, it is locked in the pushed-in position.
At that time, the claw portion 291 slightly moves in the vertical direction relatively inside the retaining hole 292. As described above, the length of the retaining hole 292 in the vertical direction in the drawing is determined in advance.

  However, in some cases, when the push button 82 is pushed in, the claw portion 291 passes through the latching hole 292 and further rides on the inner surface of the rising portion 272, and then the push button 82 is again returned to the upper side in the minute distance diagram, that is, When the push button 82 is located at the pushing position, the length of the latching hole 292, the shape of the pawl 291 and the like can be determined so that the pawl 291 is again latched on the latching hole 292.

According to the present embodiment as described above, even when the operation device 294 is mounted sideways, obliquely downward, or downward, the button cover 228 corresponds to this in a state where the pushbutton 82 is in the pushed position. It is possible to satisfactorily prevent the weight from dropping from the first position to the second position on the protruding side due to its own weight.
Therefore, according to the operation device 294 of the present embodiment, the restriction on the mounting direction at the time of installation is removed, and it can be mounted in various directions.

FIG. 18 shows a reference example of the operating device .
In this example, a latching hole (latching recess) 295 penetrating vertically in the drawing, that is, penetrating in the axial direction is provided on the push button 82 side, and the button cover 228 has a downward elastic force at a corresponding position. In this example, a piece 296 is provided, and a claw portion 297 is integrally formed at the tip of the elastic piece 296 so that the claw portion 297 is hooked in the hooking hole 295.

  Here, the latching hole 295, the elastic piece 296, and the claw portion 297 form a connecting portion that connects the button cover 228 and the push button 82, and here, the connecting portion includes the button cover 228 and the push button 82. The button cover 228 is connected to the push button 82 in a non-removable state so as to be relatively movable in the rotational direction and not relatively movable in the axial direction.

In the reference example shown in FIG. 18, when the button cover 228 is pushed downward with respect to the push button 82 at the time of assembly, the claw portion 297 is attached to the retaining hole 295 with elastic deformation in the radial direction of the elastic piece 296. The button cover 228 is locked from the push button 82 in the axial direction.
However, the push button 82 can move relative to the button cover 228 in the rotational direction under the connected state.

Here, the claw portion 297 is provided with a latching surface 298 on the upper side in the figure, and this latching surface 298 is latched upward in the figure on the periphery of the latching hole 295 of the push button 82.
The claw portion 297 is also provided with an inclined cam surface 299. When the button cover 228 is pushed downward in the figure, the cam surface 299 serves as a guide surface, and the elastic piece 296 is elastically deformed. 297 is hooked into the hooking hole 295.

Although the embodiment of the present invention has been described in detail with reference examples, this is merely an example.
For example, in the embodiment of FIGS. 10 to 17, an elastic piece and a claw portion 291 are provided on the button cover 228 side, and a latching hole (a latching recess) is provided on the cylindrical member 254 side as the main body portion of the operating device 294. 292 is provided, but the positional relationship is reversed, and a hooking hole 292 and other hooking recesses are provided on the button cover 228 side, and a claw portion 291 is provided on the cylindrical member 254 side to hook them. In addition, the elastic piece may be provided on the cylindrical member 254 side or on both the button cover 228 side and the cylindrical member 254 side, and the present invention may be replaced with a thrust lock structure. For example, the present invention can be applied to a structure having a heart cam structure and other locking mechanisms, and the present invention can be configured in various forms without departing from the spirit of the present invention.

It is a figure which shows the structure of the valve part of a faucet with a part of operating device of one Embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which decomposes | disassembles each member and shows the principal part of FIG. It is a figure which expands and shows the principal part of FIG. It is action | operation explanatory drawing of a water faucet. FIG. 5 is an operation explanatory diagram following FIG. 4. It is another effect | action explanatory drawing of a water tap. FIG. 7 is an operation explanatory view showing an operation state further different from FIG. 6. It is action | operation explanatory drawing of the thrust lock mechanism in the water tap. FIG. 9 is an operation explanatory diagram following FIG. 8. It is sectional drawing of the operating device of the faucet of the embodiment. It is a disassembled perspective view of the operating device of FIG. It is a disassembled perspective view for demonstrating the attachment state of each component of the embodiment. It is explanatory drawing of the attachment state of a different part from FIG. Furthermore, it is sectional drawing for demonstrating the attachment state of a different part. It is operation | movement explanatory drawing of the embodiment. FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view different from FIG. FIG. 16 is an operation explanatory diagram different from FIG. 15 of the operation device of the same embodiment. It is the figure which showed the principal part of the reference example . It is a figure which shows an example of the operating device of the faucet concerning the prior application of this invention. It is a figure which shows the example of installation of the operating device of FIG.

82 Push button 228 Button cover 254 Cylindrical member (main part)
288,296 Elastic piece 291,297 Claw 292,295 Hooking hole (Hooking recess)
294 operating device

Claims (4)

(A) a push button as an operation unit movable between an axial pushing position and a protruding position; and (b) the push button is separated and separated from the push button. A button cover that moves between a corresponding first position and a second position corresponding to the protruding position and serves as an input portion of a pressing operation force that covers the push button on the outside in the axial direction; and (c) the push button. A main body that is movably held between the pushing position and the protruding position, and the push button is pushed to the pushing position each time a pushing force is applied to the push button via the button cover. And an operation device for a faucet that moves between the push-out position and the protruding position by a lock mechanism, and a claw portion on one of the button cover and the main body, On the other hand, the button cover is pushed to the first position. In this state, a latching recess is provided for elastically latching the claw portion in the protruding direction of the push button, and the claw portion and the latching recess are not released by the weight of the button cover. While the button cover is held in the first position, the latch is released by the pushing force of the push button, and the button cover is allowed to move from the first position to the second position as the push button protrudes. An operation device for a faucet, characterized in that   2. The faucet operating device according to claim 1, wherein the push button switches between water discharge and water stop by pressing and protruding.   3. The faucet operation device according to claim 1, wherein the push button functions as a rotation operation unit, and the button cover is provided in a fixed state in the rotation direction. .   4. The faucet operating device according to claim 3, wherein the push button adjusts the water discharge flow rate by rotation.

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