JP5170841B2 - Faucet device - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a faucet device, and more particularly to a faucet device capable of setting the temperature or flow rate of discharged hot water.

  JP-A-9-133249 (Patent Document 1) describes a handle for a faucet. In the handle of this faucet, an engagement groove is formed on the inner periphery of the handle portion, and a moderation protrusion is provided on the outer periphery of the stop ring disposed inside the handle portion. These engagement grooves and moderation protrusions are engaged and disengaged when the handle portion is rotated to the high temperature water discharge region side, and a rotational resistance with a moderate feeling is given to the handle portion in the high temperature water discharge region.

JP-A-9-133249

  In the handle described in JP-A-9-133249, when the handle is rotated to a high temperature region, the faucet device is set to high temperature water discharge by applying a rotational resistance to the handle and changing the operation feeling of the handle. This is notified to the user. As described above, in the handle described in JP-A-9-133249, rotational resistance is mechanically imparted to the handle, so the relationship between the rotational position of the handle and the operational resistance imparted to the handle is fixed, When the handle is at the same rotational position, a constant rotational resistance is always applied to the handle.

  However, the preferable operation resistance (rotation resistance) of the operation unit (handle) varies depending on various use situations of the faucet device, and the position of the operation unit is different from that of the handle described in JP-A-9-133249. On the other hand, there is a problem that the operation feeling of the faucet device cannot be sufficiently improved with a mechanism that always gives a constant operation resistance.

  Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide a faucet device that can obtain a favorable operation feeling in various usage situations.

  In order to solve the above-described problems, the present invention is a faucet device capable of setting the temperature or flow rate of discharged hot water, and is operated by a user to set the temperature or flow rate of discharged hot water. A movable operation unit that is moved by the operation unit, a water discharge adjusting unit that generates hot water set by the movable operation unit, and an operation resistance that generates the operation resistance when the user operates the movable operation unit in an electrically changeable manner. And a control unit that controls the water discharge adjusting unit based on the setting by the movable operation unit, and sends a signal to the operation resistance generation unit to control the operation resistance generated by the operation resistance generation unit. It is said.

  In this invention comprised in this way, a control part controls a water discharge adjustment part so that the temperature or flow volume of the hot water set by the movable operation part may be produced | generated. In addition, the control unit sends a signal to the operation resistance generation unit, controls the operation resistance generated by the operation resistance generation unit, and electrically changes the operation resistance when the user operates the movable operation unit.

  According to the present invention configured as described above, since the operation resistance when the user operates the movable operation unit is electrically changed, a preferable operation feeling of the movable operation unit can be obtained in various usage situations. Can do.

In the present invention, it is preferable that the operation resistance generation unit generates different operation resistances even when the movable operation unit is at the same position.
According to the present invention configured as described above, different operation resistances are generated even when the movable operation unit is at the same position, so that only the user is notified of the position of the movable operation unit by changing the operation resistance. In addition, the operation feeling can be improved.

In the present invention, preferably, it further includes an operation state sensor for detecting an operation state of the movable operation unit, and the control unit sends a signal to the operation resistance generation unit based on a detection value of the operation state sensor to generate an operation resistance. The operation resistance generated by the unit is controlled.
According to the present invention configured as described above, it is possible to change the operation resistance by estimating the user's operation intention, and to improve the operation feeling.

In the present invention, preferably, the operation state sensor detects a speed or angular velocity at which the movable operation unit is moved, and the control unit controls the operation resistance generation unit based on the detected speed or angular velocity.
According to the present invention configured as described above, an appropriate operation resistance can be given in accordance with rough adjustment and fine adjustment of the movable operation unit.

In the present invention, it is preferable that the control unit controls the operation resistance generation unit to increase the operation resistance when the movable operation unit is operated a predetermined number of times or more within a predetermined time.
According to the present invention configured as described above, it is possible to prevent a mischievous operation of the movable operation unit unnecessarily.

In this invention, Preferably, it has a water discharge state detection means further, and a control part controls the operation resistance which an operation resistance generation part generate | occur | produces based on the detected value of a water discharge state detection means.
According to this invention comprised in this way, the appropriate operation resistance according to the water discharge state of the faucet device can be provided.

In the present invention, preferably, the water discharge state detection means detects the temperature or flow rate of the discharged hot water, and the control unit generates the operation resistance generator based on the temperature or flow rate detected by the water discharge state detection means. Control the operating resistance.
According to this invention comprised in this way, the appropriate operation resistance according to the temperature or flow volume which is actually discharged can be provided.

In the present invention, preferably, the apparatus further includes a water discharge destination switching operation unit, the water discharge state detection unit detects the water discharge destination switched by the water discharge destination switching operation unit, and the control unit is detected by the water discharge state detection unit. Based on the water discharge destination, the operation resistance generated by the operation resistance generator is controlled.
According to the present invention configured as described above, appropriate operation resistance can be given to each of the water discharge destination having a high operation frequency of the set temperature or the set flow rate and the water discharge destination having a low operation frequency.

In the present invention, preferably, the control unit can control the operation resistance generation unit so that the operation resistance generated by the operation resistance generation unit is 0 or the operation resistance generated is a constant value.
According to the present invention configured as described above, it is possible to cope with a public use used by a user who is not accustomed to using a faucet device whose operation resistance is changed.

In the present invention, preferably, the operation resistance generating unit includes a moving element that is moved by operation of the movable operating unit, a viscous fluid that provides resistance to movement of the moving element, and a flow resistance that changes a flow resistance through which the viscous fluid flows. The operating resistance generated by the operating resistance generator is changed by the control unit controlling the flow resistance variable unit.
According to the present invention configured as described above, a stable operation resistance can be provided with a simple mechanism.

  According to the faucet device of the present invention, a favorable operation feeling can be obtained in various usage situations.

Next, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.
First, a faucet device according to a first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 4. FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing the entire faucet device according to the present embodiment. FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the faucet device according to the present embodiment. Further, FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view showing the configuration of the operation resistance generating unit. FIG. 4 is a time chart showing the operation of the faucet device of the present embodiment.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the faucet device 1 according to the first embodiment of the present invention includes a water discharge head 2 which is a water discharge portion provided with a water discharge port 2 a, a water faucet body 6 attached to the wash bowl 4, A flow control handle 8 that is a movable operation unit for flow adjustment disposed in the wash bowl 4, a temperature control handle 10 that is a movable operation unit for temperature adjustment, and a faucet device function unit 12 disposed below the wash bowl 4. (FIG. 2). Further, the faucet device function unit 12 includes a resistance switching on / off switch 14 (FIG. 2). By operating this switch, the operation resistance of the flow control handle 8 and the temperature control handle 10 described later is changed. Can be turned on or off.

  In the faucet device 1 according to the present embodiment, by operating the flow control handle 8 and the temperature control handle 10, an electrical signal is sent to the faucet device function unit 12, and each function can be executed. That is, the faucet device 1 can switch between water discharge and water stop from the water discharge port 2a of the water discharge head 2 by pressing the flow control handle 8, and water discharge by rotating the flow control handle 8. The flow rate can be adjusted. Further, the faucet device 1 is configured so that the water discharge temperature can be adjusted by rotating the temperature control handle 10.

  Inside the flow control handle 8 and the temperature control handle 10, an LED (not shown) as a display means is built in, and the light irradiation section 8a having a generally fan shape around each handle by the irradiation light from the LED. 10a is formed. The central angle of the fan shape of each light irradiation unit is configured to increase according to the set flow rate and set temperature, and the user can visually set the set flow rate and set temperature according to the shape of each light irradiation unit. It can be recognized. The water discharge head 2 is configured to be used as a shower head by being removed from the faucet body 6 and pulled out.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the faucet device function unit 12 includes a temperature adjustment valve 16 that is a water discharge adjustment unit for temperature adjustment connected to the hot water supply pipe 16 a and the water supply pipe 16 b, and a downstream side of the temperature adjustment valve 16. A flow rate adjusting valve 18 which is a connected water discharge adjusting unit for adjusting the flow rate, an electromagnetic valve 20 connected to the downstream side of the flow rate adjusting valve 18, a temperature control valve 16, the flow rate adjusting valve 18 and the electromagnetic valve 20 are controlled. And a controller 22 serving as a control unit.

  A flow rate adjusting valve 18 is connected to the outlet line of the temperature control valve 16, an electromagnetic valve 20 is connected to the outlet line of the flow rate adjusting valve 18, and the water discharge head 2 is connected to the outlet line of the electromagnetic valve 20. ing. With this configuration, when the electromagnetic valve 20 is opened, the hot water flowing out from the temperature control valve 16 flows into the electromagnetic valve 20 through the flow rate adjustment valve 18 and is discharged from the water discharge port 2 a of the water discharge head 2.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 2, on the back side of the wash bowl 4 below the flow control handle 8 and the temperature control handle 10, a flow control function unit 24 and a temperature control function unit that send an operation signal of each handle to the controller 22. 26 are arranged respectively.

  The temperature control valve 16 is configured to mix and discharge the hot water flowing in from the hot water supply pipe 16a and the water flowing in from the water supply pipe 16b in accordance with the temperature setting. In the present embodiment, a thermo valve that adjusts the temperature by driving the main valve body by the biasing force of the shape memory alloy spring and the bias spring is used as the temperature control valve 16. The set temperature of the hot water discharged from the temperature control valve 16 can be changed by driving a motor 16c connected to the temperature control valve 16.

The flow rate adjusting valve 18 is configured to adjust the flow rate of hot water flowing from the temperature control valve 16 according to the flow rate setting. Further, the set flow rate of the hot water discharged from the flow rate adjusting valve 18 can be changed by varying the opening degree of the valve by a signal from the controller 22.
A flow rate temperature sensor 50 is provided between the faucet body 6 and the electromagnetic valve 20 so as to detect the flow rate and temperature of hot water discharged from the electromagnetic valve 20.

  The controller 22 sends signals to the electromagnetic valve 20, the temperature control valve 16, and the flow rate adjustment valve 18 based on the electrical signals input from the flow control function unit 24, the temperature control function unit 26, and the flow rate temperature sensor 50, and Is configured to control. Specifically, the controller 22 includes an input interface for inputting a signal from each operation unit, a control program, a memory, a microprocessor for executing the program, an output interface for driving a solenoid valve and a temperature control valve, and the like. Configured (not shown). Details of the control by the controller 22 will be described later.

Next, the configuration of the flow adjustment function unit 24 will be described with reference to FIG.
As shown in FIG. 3A, the flow adjustment function unit 24 includes a handle operation detection unit 28 that is an operation state sensor connected to a rotation shaft 8b extending from the flow adjustment handle 8, and an operation connected to the rotation shaft 8b. And a damper mechanism 30 which is a resistance generating unit.

  As shown in FIG. 3B, the damper mechanism 30 is connected to an impeller 32 that is a moving element that rotates together with the rotating shaft 8b, an impeller case 34 that houses the impeller 32, and the impeller case 34. And a variable throttle valve 38 which is a flow resistance variable means provided in the middle of the loop pipe 36.

The handle operation detection unit 28 incorporates an encoder (not shown) that detects the rotation operation of the flow control handle 8 and a press operation detection unit (not shown) that detects the press operation of the flow control handle 8.
The encoder is connected to a rotary shaft 8b extending from the center of the generally disc-shaped flow control handle 8 to the back side of the wash bowl 4. When the user rotates the flow control handle 8, this is detected and a detection signal is detected. Is sent to the controller 22. The pressing operation detection unit is also fixed to the bottom of the rotating shaft, and is configured to detect this when the user presses the flow handle 8 and send a detection signal to the controller 22.

The damper mechanism 30 is connected to the rotating shaft 8b, and is configured to generate torque that resists rotation of the rotating shaft 8b.
The impeller 32 provided in the damper mechanism 30 is configured to rotate together with the rotating shaft 8b.

  The impeller case 34 stores the impeller 32 therein, and the two end portions 36a and 36b of the loop conduit 36 are communicated with each other. The impeller case 34 and the loop line 36 are filled with oil, which is a viscous fluid, and the oil circulates in the loop line 36 when the impeller 32 is rotated. . In FIG. 3B, when the impeller 32 is rotated clockwise, the oil in the impeller case 34 is pushed out to the end portion 36a of the loop pipe line 36, and the oil passing through the loop pipe line 36 is terminated. It returns to the impeller case 34 from the part 36b. Conversely, when the impeller 32 is rotated counterclockwise, the oil is pushed out to the end portion 36b of the loop conduit 36, and the oil that has passed through the loop conduit 36 returns from the end portion 36a to the impeller case 34. . Due to the viscosity of the oil circulating in the loop line 36, a torque in a direction that prevents the impeller 32 from rotating acts on the impeller 32, and this torque becomes an operation resistance.

  The variable throttle valve 38 is provided in the middle of the loop pipeline 36 and is configured to vary the flow resistance that makes a round of the loop pipeline 36. The variable throttle valve 38 includes a valve motor 38a, and the controller 22 sends a signal to the valve motor 38a so that the opening degree of the variable throttle valve 38 is changed. By restricting the variable throttle valve 38, the flow resistance that makes a round of the loop pipe line 36 increases, so that the torque in the direction that impedes the rotation of the impeller 32 increases, and the operating resistance of the flow control handle 8 increases. As described above, the operation resistance generated by the damper mechanism 30 can be electrically changed by the electric signal.

  When the resistance switching on / off switch 14 is turned off, the controller 22 always keeps the opening of the variable throttle valve 38 constant, and the operation resistance of the flow control handle 8 is always constant. Alternatively, when the resistance switching on / off switch 14 is turned off, the water faucet device can be configured so that the variable throttle valve 38 is fully opened and the operation resistance is not applied by the damper mechanism 30.

  Here, the configuration of the flow adjustment function unit 24 has been described with reference to FIG. 3, but the configuration of the temperature adjustment function unit 26 is the same except that the handle operation detection unit 28 does not detect the pressing operation of the temperature adjustment handle 10. It is.

  Next, the operation of the faucet device 1 according to the first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 4 is a time chart showing the rotational direction of the flow control handle 8 in the upper stage, the rotational angular velocity of the flow control handle 8 in the middle stage, and the magnitude of the operating resistance applied to the flow control handle 8 (absolute value of torque) in the lower stage. It is.

  First, when the user presses the flow control handle 8, the pressing operation detection unit of the handle operation detection unit 28 detects this and sends a predetermined signal to the controller 22. The controller 22 sends a signal to the electromagnetic valve 20 to make it open. Thereby, water discharge from the water discharge port 2a is started.

  As shown in FIG. 4, when the flow control handle 8 is not rotated (rotational angular velocity of the flow control handle 8), the variable throttle valve 38 is in the most throttled state, and the damper mechanism 30. As a result, the maximum operating resistance applied to the flow control handle 8 is F3.

  When the user starts to rotate the flow control handle 8 clockwise at time t1 in FIG. 4, the encoder of the handle operation detection unit 28 detects this rotation and sends it to the controller 22. The controller 22 calculates the rotational angular velocity of the flow adjustment handle 8 based on the sent signal. When the rotational angular velocity of the flow control handle 8 reaches ω1 at time t2, the controller 22 sends a signal to the valve motor 38a of the variable throttle valve 38 to increase the opening of the variable throttle valve 38. As a result, the operating resistance applied by the damper mechanism 30 to the flow control handle 8 is reduced to F2.

  As described above, since the operation resistance provided by the damper mechanism 30 is changed by the rotational angular velocity of the flow control handle 8, there is no correspondence between the rotation position of the flow control handle 8 and the applied operation resistance. Even if they are at the same rotational position, different operation resistances are generated.

  Further, at time t3, when the rotational angular velocity of the flow control handle 8 increases to ω2, the controller 22 sends a signal to the valve motor 38a to further increase the opening of the variable throttle valve 38. As a result, the operation resistance applied by the damper mechanism 30 to the flow control handle 8 is further reduced to F1. Thus, when the user intends to greatly change the flow rate and operates the flow control handle 8 at a large angular velocity, the operation resistance is reduced and the flow control handle 8 can be easily operated.

  Next, when the rotational angular velocity of the flow control handle 8 falls below ω2 at time t4, the controller 22 decreases the opening of the variable throttle valve 38 and increases the operating resistance to F2. Furthermore, when the rotational angular velocity falls below ω1 at time t5, the operating resistance returns to the maximum F3.

  Next, even when the rotation direction of the flow control handle 8 is reversed at the time t6 and the counterclockwise rotation is started, the opening degree of the variable throttle valve 38 is not changed, and the operation resistance is the maximum F3. Maintained. However, since the direction in which the oil circulates in the loop line 36 is reversed, the direction of the torque applied to the flow control handle 8 by the damper mechanism 30 as the operation resistance is also reversed. Furthermore, when the counterclockwise rotational angular velocity exceeds ω1 at time t7, the operation resistance becomes F2. However, the direction of the torque that the damper mechanism 30 applies to the flow control handle 8 as the operation resistance is opposite to the times t2 to t3 and t4 to t5.

  Subsequently, after time t8, while the absolute value of the rotational angular velocity of the flow control handle 8 is lower than ω1, the operating resistance generated by the damper mechanism 30 is maintained at the maximum F3. However, the direction of the torque applied to the flow adjustment handle 8 as the operation resistance is reversed according to the rotation direction of the flow adjustment handle 8. As described above, when the user intends to finely adjust the flow rate and operates the flow control handle 8 at a small angular velocity, an appropriate operation resistance is provided so that the fine adjustment can be easily performed.

  The operation resistance applied to the flow control handle 8 has been described above, but the same applies to the operation resistance applied to the temperature control handle 10.

  According to the faucet device of the first embodiment of the present invention, since the operation resistance when the user operates each handle is electrically changed, a favorable operation feeling of the handle can be obtained in various usage situations. Can do.

  Further, according to the faucet device of the present embodiment, different operation resistances can be generated even when the handles are at the same position, so only the position of the handle is notified to the user by changing the operation resistance. In addition, the operation feeling can be improved.

  Furthermore, according to the faucet device of the present embodiment, since the operation resistance is controlled by sending a signal to the damper mechanism based on the detection value of the encoder, the operation resistance is changed by estimating the operation intention of the user. And the operational feeling can be improved.

  In addition, according to the faucet device of the present embodiment, since the operation resistance is generated based on the angular velocity of each handle, an appropriate operation resistance can be given according to the coarse adjustment and fine adjustment of the handle.

  Furthermore, according to the faucet device of the present embodiment, the function of changing the operating resistance can be switched on or off by the resistance switching on / off switch, so that the faucet device in which the operating resistance is changed can be used. It can also be used for public use used by unfamiliar users.

  In addition, in the damper mechanism shown in FIG. 3B, only one impeller is rotated by the operation of the handle, but as a modification, two impellers are used as shown in FIG. You can also.

As shown in FIG. 5, in this modified example, two impellers are arranged to face each other, and when the rotation shaft of the handle is rotated, the respective impellers are opposite to each other by a gear mechanism (not shown). It is configured to be rotated in the direction. With this configuration, when the impeller 40a connected to the rotation shaft of the handle is rotated clockwise, the impeller 40b disposed opposite to the impeller 40b is rotated counterclockwise, The oil is pushed out to the end 42a of the loop line. Similarly, when the impeller 40a is rotated counterclockwise, the oil in the impeller case is pushed out to the end 42b of the loop conduit.
According to this modification, it is possible to give a larger operating resistance than in the case of a single impeller.

  Next, a faucet device according to a second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. The faucet device according to the present embodiment is different from the first embodiment described above in terms of control by the controller. Therefore, only the points of this embodiment different from the first embodiment will be described here.

  FIG. 6A is a time chart showing the relationship between the water discharge flow rate detected by the flow rate temperature sensor 50 and the operation resistance applied to the flow control handle in the faucet device of the present embodiment, and FIG. These are time charts showing the relationship between the water discharge temperature detected by the flow temperature sensor 50 and the operation resistance applied to the temperature control handle.

  As shown in FIG. 6A, in the faucet device of the present embodiment, the controller 22 opens the variable throttle valve 38 of the damper mechanism 30 and opens the flow adjustment handle 8 when the actual water discharge flow rate is large. When the operating resistance is reduced and the actual water discharge flow rate is small, the variable throttle valve 38 is throttled to increase the operating resistance. Since the controller 22 varies the operation resistance of the flow control handle 8 based on the water discharge state, the controller 22 functions as an operation resistance detection unit.

  As a result, in a small flow rate region where fine adjustment is required, moderate operation resistance is imparted, so that fine adjustment of the flow rate can be easily performed. Further, in a large flow rate region where fine adjustment is not required, the operation resistance is small, so that the flow rate can be easily changed.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 6B, when the actual water discharge temperature is high, the controller 22 increases the operation resistance of the temperature control handle 10 by restricting the variable throttle valve 38 of the damper mechanism 30 to increase the water discharge temperature. Is low, the variable throttle valve 38 is opened to reduce the operating resistance. Since the controller 22 varies the operation resistance of the temperature adjustment handle 10 based on the water discharge temperature in the water discharge state, it functions as an operation resistance detection means.

  Thereby, in a high temperature region where the temperature setting should be carefully performed, an appropriate operation resistance is provided, so that it is possible to prevent the set temperature from being changed unexpectedly. Further, even if the set temperature changes accidentally, the operating resistance is reduced in a low temperature region where there is little actual harm, so that the temperature can be easily changed.

  According to the faucet device of the second embodiment of the present invention, since the controller controls the operation resistance according to the water discharge state, it is possible to provide an appropriate operation resistance according to the water discharge state of the water faucet device. .

  Moreover, according to the faucet device of the present embodiment, the operation resistance is controlled based on the temperature and the flow rate in the water discharge state, so that an appropriate operation resistance according to the temperature and the flow rate can be provided.

  Next, a faucet device according to a third embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. The faucet device according to the present embodiment is different from the first embodiment described above in terms of control by the controller. Therefore, only the points of this embodiment different from the first embodiment will be described here.

In the faucet device according to the present embodiment, the controller monitors the operation frequency of each handle, and when the operation is performed at a frequency that cannot be considered in normal use, the operation resistance is greatly increased, thereby the faucet device. Is to prevent mischief.
FIG. 7 is a flowchart in which the controller determines the operation resistance in the faucet device of the present embodiment.

  First, when a signal indicating that the handle is operated is input to the controller 22, the flowchart shown in FIG. 7 is executed. In step S1 of FIG. 7, it is determined whether or not the value of the counter cnt for accumulating the number of operations of the handle is zero. Since the value of the counter cnt is 0 in the initial state, the process proceeds to step S2. In step S2, the value of the counter cnt is set to 1. Next, in step S3, the value of the timer t is reset and integration by the timer is started, and one process of the flowchart shown in FIG. 7 ends.

  When the handle is operated again, the flowchart of FIG. 7 is executed. In step S1, if the value of the counter cnt is not 0, the process proceeds to step S4. In step S4, if a predetermined time Treset has elapsed after the start of integration by the timer, the process proceeds to step S5 and has elapsed. If not, the process proceeds to step S7.

  In step S7, it is determined whether or not the integrated value of the counter cnt has reached a predetermined number N. If the predetermined number has been reached, the process proceeds to step S9, and if the predetermined number has not been reached, the process proceeds to step S8. In step S8, the integrated value of the counter cnt, that is, the number of operations of the handle is incremented by one.

  On the other hand, if the integrated value of the counter cnt reaches the predetermined number N in step S7, that is, if the handle is operated more than the predetermined number of times during the predetermined time Tset, the handle is mischievous. The process proceeds to step S9. In step S9, the controller 22 sends a signal to the variable throttle valve 38 to set the operating resistance to an extremely large value to prevent the steering wheel from being mischievous.

  Further, as described above, when the predetermined time Treset has elapsed after the start of integration by the timer in step S3 and the handle is operated after that, the process proceeds from step S4 to step S5. In step S5, the integrated value of the counter cnt is reset to 0, and the integration by the timer is stopped. Next, in step S6, the controller 22 sends a signal to the variable throttle valve 38 to set the operation resistance of the handle to a normal value that is easy to operate.

  According to the faucet device of the third embodiment of the present invention, since the operation resistance is increased when the handle is operated a predetermined number of times or more within a predetermined time, it is possible to prevent the mischief of operating the handle unnecessarily. Can do.

Next, a faucet device according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. The faucet device according to the present embodiment is different from the first embodiment described above in that the water discharge destination is switched and the control by the controller. Therefore, only the points of this embodiment different from the first embodiment will be described here.
FIG. 8 is a perspective view showing the overall configuration of the faucet device according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 9 is a time chart showing the operation of the faucet device according to the present embodiment.

  The faucet device 100 of the present embodiment shown in FIG. 8 includes a shower head 102, a currant 104, a flow control handle 106, a temperature control handle 108, a shower / currant switching handle 110 that is a water discharge destination switching operation unit, Have The water faucet device 100 is configured to switch between shower water discharge and water current discharge as a water discharge state by operating a shower / curan switching handle 110. The operation of the shower / curan switching handle 110 is detected by the controller 22.

  As shown in FIG. 9, while the water discharge destination is set to currant, the controller 22 increases the opening of the variable throttle valve 38 and decreases the operating resistance of the temperature adjustment handle 108. Further, when the controller 22 detects that the shower / curran switching handle 110 has been switched to the shower side, the controller 22 throttles the variable throttle valve 38 to increase the operating resistance of the temperature control handle 108.

  This prevents the temperature control handle 108 from moving accidentally and setting the water discharge temperature against the user's will in the shower water discharged with little temperature adjustment. In addition, with regard to currant water discharge that frequently adjusts the temperature, the operation resistance is reduced so that the temperature can be easily adjusted.

  According to the faucet device of the fourth embodiment of the present invention, since the operation resistance is controlled based on the water discharge destination, the water discharge destination having a high operation frequency of the set temperature or the set flow rate and the water discharge destination having a low operation frequency. , Appropriate operation resistance can be given to each.

As mentioned above, although preferable embodiment of this invention was described, a various change can be added to embodiment mentioned above. In particular, in the embodiment described above, each handle is operated to rotate. However, the present invention is applied to various types of operation units such as an operation unit that slides linearly by a user operation and a lever handle. It can also be applied.
In the above-described embodiment, the controller itself recognizes the set temperature and the set flow rate and controls the operation resistance. However, the temperature sensor that detects the temperature of the hot water discharged, the temperature sensor that detects the flow rate, It can also be used as a detection means.

It is a perspective view showing the whole faucet device by a 1st embodiment of the present invention. It is a block diagram showing composition of a faucet device by a 1st embodiment of the present invention. It is a figure which shows the structure of an operation resistance generating part. It is a time chart which shows the effect | action of the faucet device by 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the modification of 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is a time chart which shows the effect | action of the faucet device by 2nd Embodiment of this invention. In the faucet device by a 3rd embodiment of the present invention, it is a flow chart in which a controller determines operation resistance. It is a perspective view which shows the whole structure of the faucet device by 4th Embodiment of this invention. It is a time chart which shows the effect | action of the faucet device by 4th Embodiment of this invention.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Faucet device by 1st Embodiment of this invention 2 Water discharging head 2a Water outlet 4 Washing bowl 6 Water faucet body 8 Flow control handle (movable operation part)
8a Light irradiation part 8b Rotating shaft 10 Temperature control handle (movable operation part)
12 faucet device function part 14 resistance switching on / off switch 16 temperature control valve (water discharge adjustment part)
16a Hot water supply pipe 16b Water supply pipe 18 Flow rate adjustment valve (water discharge adjustment part)
20 Solenoid valve 22 Controller (control unit)
24 Flow Control Function Unit 26 Temperature Control Function Unit 28 Handle Operation Detection Unit (Operation State Sensor)
30 Damper mechanism (operation resistance generator)
32 Impeller (moving element)
34 Impeller case 36 Loop line 38 Variable throttle valve (flow resistance variable means)
38a Valve motor 40a, 40b Impeller 42a, 42b End 50 Flow temperature sensor 100 Water faucet device 102 Shower head 104 Curran 106 Flow control handle 108 Temperature control handle 110 Shower / curan switching handle (water discharge destination switching operation unit)

Claims (10)

A faucet device capable of setting the temperature or flow rate of discharged hot water,
A movable operation unit that is moved by a user's operation to set the temperature or flow rate of discharged hot water;
A water discharge adjusting unit that generates hot water set by the movable operation unit;
An operation resistance generating unit for generating an operation resistance when the user operates the movable operation unit in an electrically changeable manner, and
A control unit that controls the water discharge adjusting unit based on the setting by the movable operation unit, sends a signal to the operation resistance generation unit, and controls the operation resistance generated by the operation resistance generation unit;
A faucet device comprising:   The faucet device according to claim 1, wherein the operation resistance generation unit generates different operation resistances even when the movable operation unit is in the same position.   Furthermore, an operation state sensor for detecting an operation state of the movable operation unit is provided, and the control unit sends a signal to the operation resistance generation unit based on a detection value of the operation state sensor, and the operation resistance generation unit The faucet device according to claim 1 or 2, which controls an operation resistance to be generated.   The faucet according to claim 3, wherein the operation state sensor detects a speed or angular velocity at which the movable operation unit is moved, and the control unit controls the operation resistance generating unit based on the detected speed or angular velocity. apparatus.   4. The faucet device according to claim 3, wherein the control unit controls the operation resistance generating unit to increase the operation resistance when the movable operation unit is operated a predetermined number of times or more within a predetermined time.   The faucet device according to claim 1, further comprising a water discharge state detection unit, wherein the control unit controls an operation resistance generated by the operation resistance generation unit based on a detection value of the water discharge state detection unit.   The water discharge state detection means detects the temperature or flow rate of the discharged hot water, and the control unit generates an operation resistance generated by the operation resistance generation unit based on the temperature or flow rate detected by the water discharge state detection means. The faucet device according to claim 6 to be controlled.   Further, the water discharge destination switching operation unit has the water discharge state detection unit that detects the water discharge destination switched by the water discharge destination switching operation unit, and the control unit detects the water discharge destination detected by the water discharge state detection unit. The faucet device according to claim 6, wherein the operation resistance generated by the operation resistance generation unit is controlled based on the operation resistance.   9. The control unit according to claim 1, wherein the control unit can control the operation resistance generation unit so that the operation resistance generated by the operation resistance generation unit is 0 or the operation resistance to be generated is a constant value. The faucet device according to claim 1.   The operation resistance generator includes a moving element that is moved by the operation of the movable operating part, a viscous fluid that provides resistance to the movement of the moving element, and a flow resistance variable unit that changes a flow resistance through which the viscous fluid flows. The faucet device according to any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein the operation resistance generated by the operation resistance generation unit is changed by the control unit controlling the flow resistance variable means.

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